Raster Clip in GIS

This might surprise you to hear… But there are two ways to clip rasters in ArcGIS Pro.

First, the classic technique is the raster clip tool in the “Data Management” toolset of ArcToolbox. This has been around for a while.

And second, the ArcGIS Pro Raster Functions can clip rasters as well. The main advantage of the “Raster Functions” option is that you can visualize the end result before you export it.

Sounds neat? Let’s take a look at both techniques to clip rasters in ArcGIS Pro.

Clipping Rasters in ArcGIS Pro

If you want to clip out any digital imagery, the first thing you will need is a polygon boundary that you want to clip out. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to clip rasters using two techniques in ArcGIS.

Option 1. ArcToolbox Clip Raster Tool

In the first example, we use the Raster Clip tool in the Data Management toolbox.

Here are the steps to follow to clip rasters using this method. If you want to follow along, you will need a raster image and a polygon boundary.

In this example, we are using the Natural Earth data. Alternatively, you can use GIS data in our list of 10 free vector and raster data sets.

Step 1. Select Clip Tool in ArcToolbox

In ArcToolbox (Data Management > Raster > Raster Processing > Clip), double-click the clip tool.

Step 2. Fill in fields

INPUT RASTER (REQUIRED): This is the raster you want to clip. We want to clip the “Shaded Relief” raster.

OUTPUT EXTENT (OPTIONAL): This is the polygon boundary you want to clip to. You can select specific records in the polygon dataset and it will only clip this boundary. In our case, we would select the polygon of Wyoming before dragging and dropping it in the field. If you have coordinates instead of a polygon extent, type the maximum and minimum X and Y values.

USE INPUT FEATURE FOR CLIPPING GEOMETRY (OPTIONAL): This checkbox clip rasters to a polygon boundary. We want to clip to the state of Wyoming so insert a checkmark in the checkbox.

OUTPUT RASTER DATASET: This is the name of the output (clipped raster). Add an extension for the output such as TIF, IMG, or JPG.

NODATA VALUE (OPTIONAL): This means all the pixels with the specified value will be set to NoData in the output raster dataset. You can change this value in this field.

Step 3. Run tool

Run the “clip” tool by clicking OK. Finally, the tool will clip the raster to the polygon extent.

Here’s a video that demonstrates how to clip a raster using ArcGIS Pro. In this tutorial, we clip out a golf course in Los Angeles, California.

Option 2. Clip Raster with Raster Functions

For the “Raster Functions” method, the main advantage is that you can visualize the end result before you export it.

Essentially, you create a temporary raster. If you like the temporary result, you can save it to memory.

Here are the steps to clip rasters using the “Raster Functions” in ArcGIS Pro:

Step 1. Click the Raster Functions in the Imagery Ribbon

First, click on the raster imager in your table of contents. You’ll see that a tab for “Imagery” will appear. Select that ribbon, then choose “Raster Functions”.

Step 2. Select the Clip Function

In the “Data Management” tools, you’ll see the “Clip” tool along with other rather functions. Select the “Clip” tool, which will open a panel for inputs.

Step 3. Add Your Input and Outputs

Before I do this step, I usually select the feature that I want to select. So, in my case, I am going to clip the hillshade image to the boundary of the United States. First, I’ll select the record for the United States.

Next, I’ll start entering the inputs for the Clip tool. First, my raster will be the “Shaded Relief”. I’ll select the option for “Outside”. Next, I’ll use my “Countries” layer for the clipping geometry. Finally, I’ll select “Use input features for clipping geometry” because I want to clip it exactly to the boundary of the United States.

Step 5. Click “Create new layer”

If you’ve been able to follow along so far, click the “Create new layer” button to run the tool. As you can see in the screenshot below, the “Clip” tool ran as expected. The tool clipped the “Raster Hillshade” layer to the boundary of the United States.

Step 6. Export Raster (Optional)

It’s important to know that this is just a temporary layer. This means that you’ll have to save the new clipped image by clicking the export button.

Right-click your layer in the contents panel. Next, select Data > Export Raster. From here, you’ll have to export it to a directory of your choice. Also, make sure to allow there to be NoData in the output raster.

Why clip rasters?

Clipping rasters means that you can save time. Processing data to a larger extent can really put a crunch on you and your processor.

For example, satellite imagery and LiDAR data are a beast to work with. Wouldn’t it be nice to cut processing time down?

The good news is that you can save time when working with raster data.

How? Clip rasters to shapefiles (your area of interest). When you clip rasters, you generate workable subsets of data. All in all, we limit analysis to only the area of interest.