2011

Quick Reference
MAPFDOBUFFERCREATE
Creates a buffer zone around features in your map
Click Analyze ➤ Buffer.
Menu
MAPFDOBUFFERCREATECommand Line
Create Buffer dialog boxDialog Box
MAPGISOVERLAY
Performs overlay analysis of feature classes
Click Analyze menu ➤ GIS Overlay.
Menu
Icon
MAPGISOVERLAYCommand Line
Buffering Features in Your Map
Use buffers to analyze features by proximity. Select a geospatial feature in your
map and specify the distance for the buffer. AutoCAD Map 3D creates a
polygon around the feature or features you have selected at the distance you
specify.
NOTE This functionality applies only to geospatial feature data. For information
about using buffers for drawing objects, see
Buffering a Topology (page 1345).
You can output the buffer to a new layer in your map or append it to an
existing buffer layer. If you are buffering multiple features, you can specify
whether AutoCAD Map 3D should merge all the buffers into a single buffer,
merge only the overlapping buffers, or leave the buffers separate. AutoCAD
Map 3D saves buffer data in SDF format.
You can use buffers to select features within the specified buffer distance of
other features. For example, if you created a one-mile buffer around a
construction zone, you could use this buffer to find all parcels within one
mile of the construction area.
1306 | Chapter 8 Analyzing Data