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Spatial functions
Spatial functions
Last updated: Feb 12, 2025
Spatial functions (SPSS Modeler)

Spatial functions can be used with geospatial data. For example, they allow you to calculate the distances between two points, the area of a polygon, and so on.

There can also be situations that require a merge of multiple geospatial data sets that are based on a spatial predicate (within, close to, and so on), which can be done through a merge condition.

Notes:
  • These spatial functions don't apply to three-dimensional data. If you import three-dimensional data into a flow, only the first two dimensions are used by these functions. The z-axis values are ignored.
  • Geospatial functions aren't supported.
Table 1. CLEM spatial functions
Function Result Description
close_to(SHAPE,SHAPE,NUM) Boolean Tests whether 2 shapes are within a certain DISTANCE of each other. If a projected coordinate system is used, DISTANCE is in meters. If no coordinate system is used, it is an arbitrary unit.
crosses(SHAPE,SHAPE) Boolean Tests whether 2 shapes cross each other. This function is suitable for 2 linestring shapes, or 1 linestring and 1 polygon.
overlap(SHAPE,SHAPE) Boolean Tests whether there is an intersection between 2 polygons and that the intersection is interior to both shapes.
within(SHAPE,SHAPE) Boolean Tests whether the entirety of SHAPE1 is contained within a POLYGON.
area(SHAPE) Real Returns the area of the specified POLYGON. If a projected system is used, the function returns meters squared. If no coordinate system is used, it is an arbitrary unit. The shape must be a POLYGON or a MULTIPOLYGON.
num_points(SHAPE,LIST) Integer Returns the number of points from a point field (MULTIPOINT) which are contained within the bounds of a POLYGON. SHAPE1 must be a POLYGON or a MULTIPOLYGON.
distance(SHAPE,SHAPE) Real Returns the distance between SHAPE1 and SHAPE2. If a projected coordinate system is used, the function returns meters. If no coordinate system is used, it is an arbitrary unit. SHAPE1 and SHAPE2 can be any geo measurement type.