Editing Features

Creating and editing GIS data

CE 597Spring 2011

Feature types in ArcGISPoint

Line

Polygon

Thematic collections of points, lines, or polygonsFeature types in ArcGISAnnotationDimensionsMultipointsMultipatches

Feature types in ArcGIS

DimensionMulti-pointsMulti-patchesImages: ESRISingle-part/ Multi-partSingle/multi part lines

Single/multi-part polygons

Vertices and segmentsVertices: Primary elementsVertices may includez-values: elevationm-values: measurements along line featuresImage: ESRI

Segments may be straight lines, circular arcs, elliptical arcs, or bezier curvesTolerance and resolutionXY tolerance:minimum distance separating feature coordinates (e.g. 0.001 m)used in clustering operations (topology validation, buffer generation, polygon overlay, clip, editing etc.)XY resolution:precision to store coordinate values default: 0.0001 m

Editing basics Editor toolbar

Editing basicsEditing tools are available only during an edit session (Editor > Start Editing, Stop Editing)

Edits are temporary until saved permanently to the data (Editor > Save Edits)

Saving the map document (*.mxd) doesnt save the edits to the features !!

Editing basics May edit data in a single folder or a geodatabase at a time

May edit data of a single data frame at a time even if all the data in other data frames are in the same folder or geodatabase

May edit data having different coordinate systems (best practice: editing data which have the same coordinate system) Editing workflowSelect the workspace and data frame to editStart an edit sessionSelect the target layer to editChoose either to create new features or edit existing onesSet up additional properties or optionse.g. snapping, setting selectable layers etc.Select an editing toolAdd or edit attributesof the featureSave edits and stop editingSketch toolsSketch tool

Sketch toolsSketch toolIntersection toolArc toolMidpoint toolEndpoint arc toolTangent curve toolDistance-distance toolDirection-distance toolTrace tool

Sketches

line sketchpolygon sketchpoint sketchvertexsegmentSketch toolsRight click menu options

vertex optionsgeneral options

Snapping environmentSnapping environment helps to establish exact locations with respect to other featuresMay be used for generating, editing, or moving features Snapping environmentSnapping toleranceEditor menu > Options > General tab

Distance to snap a pointer or a feature within to another location

Snapping environmentSnapping propertiesSnapping priority

Snapping environment dialog box

Editor menu > snappingSnapping environmentSnapping to a specific feature

Setting up unitsDistance unitsMay choose while entering the distance using the units abbreviation (e.g. km, m, ft, mi, yd)

Direction unitsEditor menu > Options > Units tab

Tips: Setting selectable layers

Tips: Selecting the right featureSelect a feature using the editor toolbar

Switch to choose between possible selections within the tolerance to catch the right feature (by clicking N on keyboard)

Tips: Sticky toleranceHelps to avoid moving the features accidentally while editing them which may cause unintended gaps or overlaps

Sets up a tolerance distance to start moving the feature

Set from: Editor > Options > General tabTips: Where do I snap to?Activate snap tips to see where the snap will take place

Editor > Options > General tab