Clip a network dataset

Available with Network Analyst license.

You can clip a network dataset to a smaller extent. For example, if you have a nationwide network dataset, but you are performing an analysis for a targeted study area or city, you can clip the network to that area to reduce the network's size on disk.

Note:

Clipping a network dataset to a smaller size does not typically improve the performance of network analysis workflows. The primary reason for clipping a network is to make the file size more manageable.

Although you can clip the network dataset's source feature classes individually, this is not the best way. A network dataset can contain many related tables, such as those defining historical and live traffic. Not only must the geographic source features be clipped, but also the related tables, and the correct relationships among them must be preserved. The packaging and consolidation process includes all the logic necessary to correctly clip a network dataset.

Caution:

You cannot clip a licensed, noneditable network dataset or a shapefile network dataset.

Clip a network dataset in a file geodatabase or enterprise geodatabase

Use the Consolidate Map geoprocessing tool to clip a network dataset in a file geodatabase or enterprise geodatabase to the desired extent.

1. Add the network dataset you want to clip to an empty map.

   You do not need to add the network dataset's source feature classes to the map.

2. Pan and zoom the map to the desired extent. Optionally, adjust the map frame size.
3. Open the Consolidate Map tool.
4. Configure the Consolidate Map tool parameters:
   1. Ensure that the Input Map parameter is set to the map containing the network dataset layer you want to clip.
   2. Set the Output Folder parameter location.

      The tool creates a geodatabase containing the clipped network dataset in a subfolder of the selected Output Folder value.

   3. For the Extent parameter, select Current Display Extent.

      The tool clips the network dataset to this extent. You can also use the extent of another layer or one of the other Extent parameter options to set the clipping extent.

      Note:

      Features in the network dataset source feature classes falling within this extent are selected and transferred to the output. Features are not clipped at the boundaries, so you may see some features in the output whose geometry reaches beyond the designated extent.

      When the Current Display Extent option is selected, the Extent parameter values update to show the current display extent, and the Extent parameter's combo box updates to As Specified Below. If you change the map's extent, you must reselect Current Display Extent to update the parameter values.

   4. Leave the default values for the other parameters.
5. Run the Consolidate Map tool.

   The tool completes with no errors or warnings.

6. In the Catalog pane, browse to the folder location you set in the tool's Output Folder parameter and expand it and any subfolders.

   The output folder includes a subfolder with a name beginning with the letter p followed by a number corresponding to the software version, such as p30. This subfolder includes a geodatabase containing the clipped network dataset.

7. Add the clipped network dataset to a new map to verify that it has been clipped to the correct extent.

Clip a network dataset in a mobile geodatabase

To clip a network dataset in a mobile geodatabase compatible with ArcGIS Runtime, use the Create Mobile Map Package geoprocessing tool.

1. If the network dataset you want to clip is in an existing mobile map package, extract and open the mobile map package in a new or existing project. Otherwise, add the network dataset to an empty map.
2. Pan and zoom the map to the desired extent. Optionally, adjust the map frame size.
3. Open the Create Mobile Map Package tool.
4. Configure the Create Mobile Map Package tool parameters:
   1. Ensure that the Input Map parameter is set to the map containing the network dataset layer you want to clip.
   2. Set the Output File parameter location.
   3. For the Extent parameter, select Current Display Extent.

      The tool clips the network dataset to this extent. You can also use the extent of another layer or one of the other Extent parameter options to set the clipping extent.

      When the Current Display Extent option is selected, the Extent parameter values update to show the current display extent, and the Extent parameter's combo box updates to As Specified Below. If you change the map's extent, you must reselect Current Display Extent to update the parameter values.

   4. Optionally, fill in the other tool parameters.

      Note:

      The Clip Features parameter is ignored for network datasets and network dataset source feature classes. Regardless of the value of this parameter, features in the network dataset source feature classes falling within the designated extent are selected and transferred to the output. Features are not clipped at the boundaries, so you may see some features in the output whose geometry reaches beyond the designated extent.

5. Run the Create Mobile Map Package tool.

   The tool completes with no errors or warnings and creates a mobile map package (.mmpk file).

   The .mmpk file is ready for use in ArcGIS Runtime.

6. To verify the clipping or use the clipped network dataset in ArcGIS Pro, extract and add the mobile map package to a project.