How do I create a smaller buffer using an existing larger one?

[EllenWildig]

I have a 250m buffer, which was generated from a line. However, I no longer have access to the line shapefile and now need a 50m buffer. Is there a way to use the 250m buffer to generate a smaller one?

Thanks

[JayantaPoddar · Accepted solution]

You could create Negative Buffer. Consider it as buffer of a polygon (buffer_polygon).

When buffering polygon features, negative buffer distances can be used to create buffers inside the polygon features. Using a negative buffer distance will reduce the polygons' boundaries by the distance specified.

Caution:

If the negative buffer distance is large enough to collapse the polygon to nothing, a null geometry will be generated. A warning message will be given, and any null geometry features will not be written to the output feature class.

Buffer—Help | ArcGIS for Desktop 

[EllenWildig]

Hi,

Thanks for the tip. Can't believe I didn't think to test a negative number in the box. It works perfectly, however unfortunately the scheme is quite complicated so the resulting buffer is a little odd...

[JayantaPoddar]

I expected that. It would be tough to buffer bends (finer bends). But that is the best workaround we have (at least for me).