Tool NameThreshold Buffer
Tool ID9
Library IDgrid_tools
Version1.0
Author(s)Victor Olaya (c) 2004

Description

This tool performs a feature-buffering operation on a raster layer with additional constraint logic based on a secondary raster input. Unlike standard buffers, it dynamically extends the buffer zone by evaluating each neighboring cell against a user-defined threshold. The extension is conditionally applied based on the values in the secondary raster and can operate in two modes:
- Absolute: compares each neighboring cell's value in the secondary raster directly to the threshold.
- Relative to start cell value: compares each neighboring cell's value relative to the starting cell's value.
Buffer expansion occurs only if the increase or change is within the threshold, allowing for value-sensitive spatial analysis, such as terrain-aware or cost-constrained buffering.

Parameters

NameTypeIdentifierDescriptionConstraints
Input
Featuresgrid, inputFEATURESInput grid with the features to buffer where valid grid cells are all non-zero, non-NoData values. Cells with a value of 0 or NoData are ignored.
Valuegrid, inputVALUESecondary input grid with the values used to evaluate the threshold value.
Thresholdgrid, input, optionalTHRESHOLDGRIDOptional input grid with spatially variable threshold values.
Output
Buffergrid, outputBUFFERThe buffered output grid. Input features are labelled by 2, buffer zones by 1 and all other cells with 0.
Options
Threshold Valuefloating point numberTHRESHOLDThe threshold value to apply. Expansion occurs only if the increase or change is within the threshold.Default: 0.000000
Threshold TypechoiceTHRESHOLDTYPEThe mode of operation.Available Choices:
[0] Absolute
[1] Relative (to start cell value)
Default: 0