Digital Surface Model or Digital Elevation Model is a standard format that refers to geospatial features generated with UAV mapping systems. Both data products deliver different elevation values as each model uses different methodologies. Here I will not discuss the differences between DSM and DEM. I will show you how to clip the DSM or DEM data using a polygon in QGIS. I have a DSM file that covers a large area in the following example. I want to cut or clip this DSM on a smaller portion/area.
![](https://freegistutorial.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-11-at-20.07.32-1024x556.png)
Steps to Clip a DSM/DEM using a polygon in QGIS
First, we need to open the DEM file into QGIS canvas. And then, we also need to open or create a new polygon that we will use to clip the DEM/DSM. As you can see below, I have the DSM as well as a polygon on top of it.
![](https://freegistutorial.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-11-at-20.20.33-1024x556.png)
Now let’s clip the DSM with the polygon.
Open QGIS Toolbox and find the tool called Clip raster by mask layer. This tool will create a new raster layer by masking the original raster using the provided polygon layer.
![](https://freegistutorial.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-11-at-20.23.17.png)
Make sure you enable the option “Match the extent of the clipped raster to the extent of the mask” as well as “Keep resolution of input raster”. Click Run.
![](https://freegistutorial.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Screen-Shot-2022-10-13-at-19.54.24-1024x627.png)
Now you should have the clipped DEM.
Thanks for reading the article, see you in the next tutorials.