GDAL-VECTOR-LAYER-ALGEBRA(1) GDAL GDAL-VECTOR-LAYER-ALGEBRA(1)
gdal-vector-layer-algebra - Perform algebraic operation between 2
layers
Added in version 3.12.
Usage: gdal vector layer-algebra [OPTIONS] <OPERATION> <INPUT> <METHOD> <OUTPUT>
Perform algebraic operation between 2 layers.
Positional arguments:
--operation <OPERATION> Operation to perform. OPERATION=union|intersection|sym-difference|identity|update|clip|erase [required]
-i, --input <INPUT> Input vector dataset [required]
--method <METHOD> Method vector dataset [required]
-o, --output <OUTPUT> Output vector dataset [required]
Common Options:
-h, --help Display help message and exit
--json-usage Display usage as JSON document and exit
--config <KEY>=<VALUE> Configuration option [may be repeated]
-q, --quiet Quiet mode (no progress bar)
Options:
-f, --of, --format, --output-format <OUTPUT-FORMAT> Output format
--co, --creation-option <KEY>=<VALUE> Creation option [may be repeated]
--lco, --layer-creation-option <KEY>=<VALUE> Layer creation option [may be repeated]
--overwrite Whether overwriting existing output is allowed
--update Whether to open existing dataset in update mode
--overwrite-layer Whether overwriting existing output is allowed
--append Whether appending to existing layer is allowed
--input-layer <INPUT-LAYER> Input layer name
--method-layer <METHOD-LAYER> Method layer name
--output-layer <OUTPUT-LAYER> Output layer name
--geometry-type <GEOMETRY-TYPE> Geometry type
Advanced Options:
--oo, --open-option <KEY>=<VALUE> Open options [may be repeated]
--if, --input-format <INPUT-FORMAT> Input formats [may be repeated]
--input-prefix <INPUT-PREFIX> Prefix for fields corresponding to input layer
--input-field <INPUT-FIELD> Input field(s) to add to output layer [may be repeated]
Mutually exclusive with --no-input-field, --all-input-field
--no-input-field Do not add any input field to output layer
Mutually exclusive with --input-field, --all-input-field
--all-input-field Add all input fields to output layer
Mutually exclusive with --input-field, --no-input-field
--method-prefix <METHOD-PREFIX> Prefix for fields corresponding to method layer
--method-field <METHOD-FIELD> Method field(s) to add to output layer [may be repeated]
Mutually exclusive with --no-method-field, --all-method-field
--no-method-field Do not add any method field to output layer
Mutually exclusive with --method-field, --all-method-field
--all-method-field Add all method fields to output layer
Mutually exclusive with --method-field, --no-method-field
gdal vector layer-algebra performs various vector layer algebraic
operations. The command takes a vector input source and a method
source and generates the output of the operation in the specified
output file.
--operation
union|intersection|sym-difference|identity|update|clip|erase
Select the operation to perform among:
+o union
A union is a set of features, which represent areas that
are in either of the operand layers. The operation is
symmetric, and input and method layers can be
interchanged.
+o intersection
An intersection is a set of features, which represent the
common areas of two layers. The operation is symmetric,
and input and method layers can be interchanged.
+o sym-difference
A symmetric difference is a set of features, which
represent areas that are in operand layers but which do
not intersect. The operation is symmetric, and input and
method layers can be interchanged.
+o identity
The identity method identifies features in the input
layer with features in the method layer possibly
splitting features into several features. By default the
result layer has attributes from both operand layers.
+o update
The update method creates a layer, which add features
into the input layer from the method layer possibly
cutting features in the input layer. By default the
result layer has attributes only from the input layer.
+o clip
The clip method creates a layer, which has features from
the input layer clipped to the areas of the features in
the method layer. By default the result layer has
attributes of the input layer.
+o erase
The erase method creates a layer, which has features from
the input layer whose areas are erased by the features in
the method layer. By default the result layer has
attributes of the input layer.
-f, --of, --format, --output-format <OUTPUT-FORMAT>
Which output vector format to use. Allowed values may be given
by gdal --formats | grep vector | grep rw | sort
--co, --creation-option <NAME>=<VALUE>
Many formats have one or more optional dataset creation
options that can be used to control particulars about the file
created. For instance, the GeoPackage driver supports creation
options to control the version.
May be repeated.
The dataset creation options available vary by format driver,
and some simple formats have no creation options at all. A
list of options supported for a format can be listed with the
--formats command line option but the documentation for the
format is the definitive source of information on driver
creation options. See Vector drivers format specific
documentation for legal creation options for each format.
Note that dataset creation options are different from layer
creation options.
--lco, --layer-creation-option <NAME>=<VALUE>
Many formats have one or more optional layer creation options
that can be used to control particulars about the layer
created. For instance, the GeoPackage driver supports layer
creation options to control the feature identifier or geometry
column name, setting the identifier or description, etc.
May be repeated.
The layer creation options available vary by format driver,
and some simple formats have no layer creation options at all.
A list of options supported for a format can be listed with
the --formats command line option but the documentation for
the format is the definitive source of information on driver
creation options. See Vector drivers format specific
documentation for legal creation options for each format.
Note that layer creation options are different from dataset
creation options.
--overwrite
Allow program to overwrite existing target file or dataset.
Otherwise, by default, gdal errors out if the target file or
dataset already exists.
--update
Whether the output dataset must be opened in update mode.
Implies that it already exists. This mode is useful when
adding new layer(s) to an already existing dataset.
--overwrite-layer
Whether overwriting existing output layer is allowed.
--append
Whether appending features to existing output layer is allowed
--input-layer <INPUT-LAYER>
Name of the input vector layer.
--method-layer <METHOD-LAYER>
Name of the method vector layer.
--output-layer <OUTPUT-LAYER>
Name of the output vector layer.
--geometry-type <GEOMETRY-TYPE>
Change the geometry type to be one of GEOMETRY, POINT,
LINESTRING, POLYGON, MULTIPOINT, MULTILINESTRING,
MULTIPOLYGON, GEOMETRYCOLLECTION, CURVE, CIRCULARSTRING,
COMPOUNDCURVE, SURFACE, CURVEPOLYGON, MULTICURVE,
MULTISURFACE, POLYHEDRALSURFACE or TIN. Z, M or ZM suffixes
can be appended to the above values to indicate the
dimensionality.
--input-prefix <INPUT-PREFIX>
Prefix for fields corresponding to input layer. Defaults to
input_ if there are both input and method fields, otherwise
empty string.
--input-field <INPUT-FIELD>
Input field(s) to add to output layer [may be repeated]
Mutually exclusive with --no-input-field, --all-input-field.
--no-input-field
Do not add any input field to output layer. Mutually
exclusive with --input-field, --all-input-field.
--all-input-field
Add all input fields to output layer. Mutually exclusive with
--input-field, --no-input-field.
--method-prefix <METHOD-PREFIX>
Prefix for fields corresponding to method layer. Defaults to
method_ if there are both input and method fields, otherwise
empty string.
--method-field <METHOD-FIELD>
Input field(s) to add to output layer [may be repeated]
Mutually exclusive with --no-method-field, --all-method-field.
--no-method-field
Do not add any method field to output layer. Mutually
exclusive with --method-field, --all-method-field.
--all-method-field
Add all method fields to output layer. Mutually exclusive
with --method-field, --no-method-field.
Example 1: Performs a union between both input and method layers.
$ gdal vector layer-algebra union input.shp method.shp output.shp
Even Rouault <even.rouault@spatialys.com>
1998-2026
March 20, 2026 GDAL-VECTOR-LAYER-ALGEBRA(1)
NAME
gdal-vector-layer-algebra - Perform algebraic operation between 2
layers
Added in version 3.12.
SYNOPSIS
Usage: gdal vector layer-algebra [OPTIONS] <OPERATION> <INPUT> <METHOD> <OUTPUT>
Perform algebraic operation between 2 layers.
Positional arguments:
--operation <OPERATION> Operation to perform. OPERATION=union|intersection|sym-difference|identity|update|clip|erase [required]
-i, --input <INPUT> Input vector dataset [required]
--method <METHOD> Method vector dataset [required]
-o, --output <OUTPUT> Output vector dataset [required]
Common Options:
-h, --help Display help message and exit
--json-usage Display usage as JSON document and exit
--config <KEY>=<VALUE> Configuration option [may be repeated]
-q, --quiet Quiet mode (no progress bar)
Options:
-f, --of, --format, --output-format <OUTPUT-FORMAT> Output format
--co, --creation-option <KEY>=<VALUE> Creation option [may be repeated]
--lco, --layer-creation-option <KEY>=<VALUE> Layer creation option [may be repeated]
--overwrite Whether overwriting existing output is allowed
--update Whether to open existing dataset in update mode
--overwrite-layer Whether overwriting existing output is allowed
--append Whether appending to existing layer is allowed
--input-layer <INPUT-LAYER> Input layer name
--method-layer <METHOD-LAYER> Method layer name
--output-layer <OUTPUT-LAYER> Output layer name
--geometry-type <GEOMETRY-TYPE> Geometry type
Advanced Options:
--oo, --open-option <KEY>=<VALUE> Open options [may be repeated]
--if, --input-format <INPUT-FORMAT> Input formats [may be repeated]
--input-prefix <INPUT-PREFIX> Prefix for fields corresponding to input layer
--input-field <INPUT-FIELD> Input field(s) to add to output layer [may be repeated]
Mutually exclusive with --no-input-field, --all-input-field
--no-input-field Do not add any input field to output layer
Mutually exclusive with --input-field, --all-input-field
--all-input-field Add all input fields to output layer
Mutually exclusive with --input-field, --no-input-field
--method-prefix <METHOD-PREFIX> Prefix for fields corresponding to method layer
--method-field <METHOD-FIELD> Method field(s) to add to output layer [may be repeated]
Mutually exclusive with --no-method-field, --all-method-field
--no-method-field Do not add any method field to output layer
Mutually exclusive with --method-field, --all-method-field
--all-method-field Add all method fields to output layer
Mutually exclusive with --method-field, --no-method-field
DESCRIPTION
gdal vector layer-algebra performs various vector layer algebraic
operations. The command takes a vector input source and a method
source and generates the output of the operation in the specified
output file.
Standard options
--operation
union|intersection|sym-difference|identity|update|clip|erase
Select the operation to perform among:
+o union
A union is a set of features, which represent areas that
are in either of the operand layers. The operation is
symmetric, and input and method layers can be
interchanged.
+o intersection
An intersection is a set of features, which represent the
common areas of two layers. The operation is symmetric,
and input and method layers can be interchanged.
+o sym-difference
A symmetric difference is a set of features, which
represent areas that are in operand layers but which do
not intersect. The operation is symmetric, and input and
method layers can be interchanged.
+o identity
The identity method identifies features in the input
layer with features in the method layer possibly
splitting features into several features. By default the
result layer has attributes from both operand layers.
+o update
The update method creates a layer, which add features
into the input layer from the method layer possibly
cutting features in the input layer. By default the
result layer has attributes only from the input layer.
+o clip
The clip method creates a layer, which has features from
the input layer clipped to the areas of the features in
the method layer. By default the result layer has
attributes of the input layer.
+o erase
The erase method creates a layer, which has features from
the input layer whose areas are erased by the features in
the method layer. By default the result layer has
attributes of the input layer.
-f, --of, --format, --output-format <OUTPUT-FORMAT>
Which output vector format to use. Allowed values may be given
by gdal --formats | grep vector | grep rw | sort
--co, --creation-option <NAME>=<VALUE>
Many formats have one or more optional dataset creation
options that can be used to control particulars about the file
created. For instance, the GeoPackage driver supports creation
options to control the version.
May be repeated.
The dataset creation options available vary by format driver,
and some simple formats have no creation options at all. A
list of options supported for a format can be listed with the
--formats command line option but the documentation for the
format is the definitive source of information on driver
creation options. See Vector drivers format specific
documentation for legal creation options for each format.
Note that dataset creation options are different from layer
creation options.
--lco, --layer-creation-option <NAME>=<VALUE>
Many formats have one or more optional layer creation options
that can be used to control particulars about the layer
created. For instance, the GeoPackage driver supports layer
creation options to control the feature identifier or geometry
column name, setting the identifier or description, etc.
May be repeated.
The layer creation options available vary by format driver,
and some simple formats have no layer creation options at all.
A list of options supported for a format can be listed with
the --formats command line option but the documentation for
the format is the definitive source of information on driver
creation options. See Vector drivers format specific
documentation for legal creation options for each format.
Note that layer creation options are different from dataset
creation options.
--overwrite
Allow program to overwrite existing target file or dataset.
Otherwise, by default, gdal errors out if the target file or
dataset already exists.
--update
Whether the output dataset must be opened in update mode.
Implies that it already exists. This mode is useful when
adding new layer(s) to an already existing dataset.
--overwrite-layer
Whether overwriting existing output layer is allowed.
--append
Whether appending features to existing output layer is allowed
--input-layer <INPUT-LAYER>
Name of the input vector layer.
--method-layer <METHOD-LAYER>
Name of the method vector layer.
--output-layer <OUTPUT-LAYER>
Name of the output vector layer.
--geometry-type <GEOMETRY-TYPE>
Change the geometry type to be one of GEOMETRY, POINT,
LINESTRING, POLYGON, MULTIPOINT, MULTILINESTRING,
MULTIPOLYGON, GEOMETRYCOLLECTION, CURVE, CIRCULARSTRING,
COMPOUNDCURVE, SURFACE, CURVEPOLYGON, MULTICURVE,
MULTISURFACE, POLYHEDRALSURFACE or TIN. Z, M or ZM suffixes
can be appended to the above values to indicate the
dimensionality.
Advanced options
--input-prefix <INPUT-PREFIX>
Prefix for fields corresponding to input layer. Defaults to
input_ if there are both input and method fields, otherwise
empty string.
--input-field <INPUT-FIELD>
Input field(s) to add to output layer [may be repeated]
Mutually exclusive with --no-input-field, --all-input-field.
--no-input-field
Do not add any input field to output layer. Mutually
exclusive with --input-field, --all-input-field.
--all-input-field
Add all input fields to output layer. Mutually exclusive with
--input-field, --no-input-field.
--method-prefix <METHOD-PREFIX>
Prefix for fields corresponding to method layer. Defaults to
method_ if there are both input and method fields, otherwise
empty string.
--method-field <METHOD-FIELD>
Input field(s) to add to output layer [may be repeated]
Mutually exclusive with --no-method-field, --all-method-field.
--no-method-field
Do not add any method field to output layer. Mutually
exclusive with --method-field, --all-method-field.
--all-method-field
Add all method fields to output layer. Mutually exclusive
with --method-field, --no-method-field.
EXAMPLES
Example 1: Performs a union between both input and method layers.
$ gdal vector layer-algebra union input.shp method.shp output.shp
AUTHOR
Even Rouault <even.rouault@spatialys.com>
COPYRIGHT
1998-2026
March 20, 2026 GDAL-VECTOR-LAYER-ALGEBRA(1)