A buffer is a region that surrounds a line object, another region, symbol, or any other object in a Map window. For example, you can create a buffer region that surrounds Interstate 90 by 440 yards on either side. You can create a buffer region that surrounds the proposed school district by five miles on all borders. Both the 440 yards and five miles are their respective regions' buffer radii. The buffer table is then joined to data associated with the original buffered objects.
Note: The maximum buffer resolution is 500 segments per circle. This affects the entry you can make in the Smoothness field of the Buffer Objects dialog box.