Buffer Polylines

Creates buffer polygons from the polylines of the input dataset. The user can specify the side of the polyline (Left, Right or Both) on which the buffer to be created as well as the shape of the buffer at the end of the polylines - Round or Flat. The buffer distance (in the units of the spatial reference of the input dataset) can be entered as a number (equal for all input polylines)or a numeric field. No negative buffer distance is accepted.

Inputs:

A polyline feature layer
Buffer distance - a number (the same buffer distance will be used for all input polylines) or the name of a numeric field in the polyline attribute table that has the buffer distance for each input polyline.
Side of the buffer:
- Left - the buffer will be created only on the left side of the polylines (the physical orientation of the polyline is used to define the side).
- Right - the buffer will be created only on the right side of the polylines (the physical orientation of the polyline is used to define the side).
- Both - the buffer will be created only on the both sides of the polylines.
Shape of the buffer at the end of the polyline
- Round - the buffer at the ends of the polyline will have a circular shape.
- Flat - the buffer at the end of the polyline will be closed with a straight line passing through the start/end point of the polyline
Dissolve option - the boundaries of the intersecting buffers will be dissolved. The original attributes will not be preserved if the dissolve option is used.

Outputs:

New polygon feature class

Notes :

No buffers will be created for the polylines that have buffer distance less or equal to 0.
The attributes of the polylines will be transferred to the resulting polygons only if the Dissolve option is NOT used.
If the "Left" or "Right" option is used, no buffers will be created for the polylines for which the Left and Right buffers intersect. The log file will contain a record for the IDs of the polylines for which the requested buffer could not be created (see example below).
If the "Flat" option is used and the left and right boundary cannot be connected with a straight line with length equal to 2 x the buffer distance, a round end will be created. The log file will contain a record for the IDs of the polylines for which a "Flat" buffer could not be created (see example below).
Self-intersecting polylines will be simplified and each part will be buffered separately.

Examples:

Round buffer both sides (with dissolve option)	Flat buffer both sides

Flat buffer on the left side	Round buffer on the right side

Buffer on the left side cannot be created.	Round end will be created if a complete flat end cannot be created.

ToolBox implementation

(Go to TOP)

Command line syntax

ET_GPBufferPolylines<input_dataset> <out_feature class> {buffer_distance_field} {buffer_distance} <Both | Left | Right> <Round | Flat> <dissolve_buffers>

Parameters

Expression	Explanation
<input_dataset>	A Point feature class or feature layer
<out_feature class>	A String - the full name of the output feature class (A feature class with the same full name should not exist)
{buffer_distance_field}	A String representing the name of a field in the in the attribute table of the input dataset field name. The field has the values for the buffer distance to be used.
{buffer_distance}	A Double representing the buffer distance (in the units of the spatial reference of the input dataset).
<buffer_side>	A String representing the side of the polylines on which the buffers will be created. The available options are: Left, Right and Both
<shape_end>	Required. A String representing the shape of the buffer at the ends of the polylines. The available options are: Round - the buffer at the ends of the polyline will have a circular shape. Flat - the buffer at the end of the polyline will be closed with a straight line passing through the start/end point of the polyline
<dissolve_buffers>	A Boolean. If True - the boundaries of the intersecting buffers will be dissolved.

Scripting syntax

ET_GPBufferPolylines(input_dataset, out_feature class,buffer_distance_field,buffer_distance, buffer_side, shape_end, dissolve_buffers)

See the explanations above:
<> - required parameter
{} - optional parameter