Clipping of a raster is a process of creating a spatial subset of the input raster dataset. Using the clip tool, you can extract a portion of the input data based on user-defined extent(s). The output will consist of cells that intersect the extent(s). The raster can be clipped either inside or outside the defined extent.
The area to be clipped can be specified either by:
- drawing a rectangular envelope on the map which automatically populates the bounds values in the Rectangular Region box, or
- inserting an output shapefile that contains a single or multiple polygon objects.
The extent coordinates must be in the same projection system as the input grid coordinates.
Clip using Rectangle
In this clip method, the rectangular bounds define the clip area. You can either clip to the clip region or clip outside the extent. An example of this is illustrated below.
The following denotes an input raster with the clip area defined in red. You can define the clip region by drawing a rectangle on the map or entering the bounds value in the Rectangular Region box.
The following illustrations show the clip results after clipping inside and outside the extent region.
Retain Outside |
Retain Inside  |
Clip using Polygon
In this clip method, you can either draw a shape on the map to define the clip extent or select
a TAB file containing the shape(s). The shapes can be a polygon, an ellipse, or a
rounded rectangle. Click 
to browse
and select the TAB file.
The TAB file will clip the input raster according to the defined shapes. An example of a TAB file containing shapes is shown below:
The following illustrations show the clip results after clipping inside and outside the extent region.
Retain Outside
Retain Inside
Clip using Map Extent
In this clip method, the map extent of the input raster file defines the clip region. The portion that lies outside of the extent of the input raster will be removed, as defined by the clip action.
Raster to Raster
In this clip method, you clip a raster using another raster as the clip mask. The map extent of the overlapping raster defines the clip region. It allows you to select a raster and its field/band as the clip mask.