Clipping an image or raster in ArcGIS

By Simon W

Thumbnail

There are many ways to clip out a part of an image or raster in ArcGIS. What you choose may depend on what you’re doing. For example, if you’re using ArcMap and have a graphic, you can use the Clip button on the Image Analysis window. Or if you want to clip something as part of an automated process you can write a script or model that uses the Clip tool.

To help you decide what to use, here are the different options and the results you will get.

Clipping Option	Remove Inside	Remove Outside
. Data > Export Data (or Image Analysis window > Export)- Using Selected Graphics (clipping)		X
. Data > Export Data (or Image Analysis window > Export)- Using Selected Graphics (clipping) + Clip Inside	X
. Image Analysis window > Clip button		X
. Image Analysis window > Mask button	X
. Clip function (Inside)	X
. Clip function (Outside).		X
. Extract By Mask tool.		X
. Clip tool (w Output Extent)		X* (envelope)
. Clip tool (w Output Extent + Selection Extent)		X

Written by: Melanie Harlow

Simon W

Simon is an Esri product engineer on the Raster team. He works mainly with Pixel Editor, raster visualization, georeferencing, and documentation.

Article Discussion:

2 Comments

Oldest

Newest

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Jacob Helfman(@jacob_helfman)

December 3, 2021 3:35 pm

What are the equivelant steps for clipping a raster in ArcGIS Pro? I know there’s a Clip Raster tool/function that uses the current map extent to clip. I’m looking for a way to have more control over the clipping area, similar to cropping in photo editing.

Last edited 3 years ago by Jacob Helfman

Bob Griest(@hippie)

January 29, 2023 7:38 am

I have a bathymetry map saved in ArcGis that I need to clip or crop a middle section from. I want to use the middle as a background. I have been on this project (trying to crop the middle) for 9 years now at 6 to 8 hours per day and have accomplished nothing! Please help me. Thank you, Bob