idea Buffer and then dissolve into multiple polygons (using the Explode tool) in ArcGIS Pro Ideas

Buffer and then dissolve into multiple polygons (using the Explode tool)

MichelleWilliamsERM — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 00:48:54 GMT

Hello, Esri would you add another choice to the dissolve dropdown?

Dissolve output features into multiple features. (You can use the explode tool behind the scenes)

Re: Buffer and then dissolve into multiple polygons (using the Explode tool)

DanLee — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 01:03:38 GMT

Is the default option "No Dissolve" what you need - individual buffers even if they may overlap?

Re: Buffer and then dissolve into multiple polygons (using the Explode tool)

MichelleWilliamsERM — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 17:02:45 GMT

Thank you for asking, I could have added more images to be clearer.

I need each polygon as its own record (like below).

But the only options are dissolving all polygons into one record or leaving individual overlapping buffers (mine are points with 50-foot buffers).

My workflow is to create Buffers and Dissolve them into one record, then go to Edit | Explode to make them into multiple records. It would be nice to get the option inside the buffer tool.

Re: Buffer and then dissolve into multiple polygons (using the Explode tool)

DanLee — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 17:34:32 GMT

After you get the buffer output as one feature, use Multipart To Singlepart tool to turn them into individual features.

Re: Buffer and then dissolve into multiple polygons (using the Explode tool)

DanLee — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 17:51:05 GMT

I have brought your request to our team's attention. Let's hope more users vote for this idea. 🙂

Re: Buffer and then dissolve into multiple polygons (using the Explode tool)

BarryNorthey — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 19:15:29 GMT

In the meantime, could you not export the necessary code from Model Builder (for us poor coders) or build a Task if this is something you do often.

Re: Buffer and then dissolve into multiple polygons (using the Explode tool) - Status changed to: Under Consideration

MargaretCrawford — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 18:40:16 GMT

Re: Buffer and then dissolve into multiple polygons (using the Explode tool)

Rich_VanB — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 20:21:18 GMT

I noticed the same effect in ArcGIS Online. Checking the "Dissolve" option when creating buffers leads to the creation of a single multipart feature that includes non-overlapping buffered regions as well as dissolved overlapping buffers.

The trick to correcting this lies with a two-step process. Run buffers and choose the "Overlap" option under "Overlap Policy". This retains all individual records. Then take the output layer and run it through the "Dissolve Boundaries". Here, however, you are presented with the following options:

By turning off "Create multipart features", you get a dissolve on overlapping features and retain single records for non-overlapping features. Though the workflow here is for ArcGIS Online, adding a similar set of sliders to the Buffers tool in ArcGIS Pro (and within the "Create Buffers" tool in AGOL) would be incredibly helpful. As the image above suggests, clearly the code is available to do so.

Re: Buffer and then dissolve into multiple polygons (using the Explode tool)

SarahWigley — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 08:58:16 GMT

I can't believe more people haven't given this kudos. I've used ArcMap for years and (after a break) started using ArcPro and it's one of the first things I noticed. In ArcMap you could buffer features, dissolve them (on their shape alone) and then choose if you wanted the output to be single or multipart. Really useful for my work, as I hardly ever need multipart features (I find they are misleading/confusing to work with). It would be great to bring back the checkbox for choosing single or multi-part features!