Joining two or more overlapping buffers using MMQgis plugin?

Question

I use MMQgis plugin to create buffers around points. Some of them overlapping and, to my analysis, i have to "dissolve" lines that cross this buffers. I use Vector -> Geoprocess -> Dissolve, and it was similar to what I wanted, if it were not for the fact that all attribute values have become just one!

Attribute table before dissolve:

Features after dissolve:

Table after dissolve:

How should I to proceed?

Answer 1

You might be able to do it with the following workflow:

1. First do the dissolve like you've done, which results in one multi-polygon
2. Now split them out using the 'vector' -> 'geometry tools' -> 'multipart to singleparts' operator
3. Now do a spatial join with 'vector' -> 'data management tools' -> 'join attributes by location' to get your attributes back.

Edit:

For the join by location, you should either use your original points to join to the 'singlepart' features (with a contains operation) or use your buffers (using intersects). You'll only be able to copy attributes from one of the features, where two or more have been merged, of course.