Identity (Coverage)

Summary

Computes the geometric intersection of two coverages. All features of the input coverage, as well as those features of the identity coverage that overlap the input coverage, are preserved in the output coverage.

Learn more about how Identity works

Illustration

Identity illustartion

Usage

Syntax

Identity_arc (in_cover, identity_cover, out_cover, {feature_type}, {fuzzy_tolerance}, {join_attributes})
ParameterExplanationData Type
in_cover

The coverage that will be overlaid with the identity coverage.

Coverage
identity_cover

The coverage that will be identitied with the input coverage. Must have polygon features.

Coverage
out_cover

The coverage to be created.

Coverage
feature_type
(Optional)

The feature class from the input coverage that will be used.

  • POLYPoly on poly overlay. This is the default option.
  • LINELine on poly overlay.
  • POINTPoint on poly overlay.
String
fuzzy_tolerance
(Optional)

The minimum distance between coordinates in the output coverage. By default, the minimum fuzzy tolerance value from the input and erase coverages is used.

Learn more about how the default fuzzy tolerance is calculated

Double
join_attributes
(Optional)

Specifies whether all items in both the input coverage feature attribute and identity coverage will be joined to the output coverage feature attribute table.

  • JOINAll feature attribute items from both coverages will appear in the output coverage feature attribute table. If a duplicate item is encountered, the item in the input coverage will be maintained and the one in the join file will be dropped. This is the default option.
  • NO_JOINOnly the feature's internal number (cover#) from the input coverage and the intersect coverage are joined in the output coverage feature attribute table. This option is useful in reducing the size of the output coverage feature attribute table. The Add Join tool can then be used to get the attributes to the output coverage features.
Boolean

Code Sample

Identity example (stand-alone script)

The following stand-alone script demonstrates how to split roads where they pass through city boundaries.

# Name: Identity_Example.py
# Description: Splits roads where they pass through city boundaries.
# Requirements: ArcInfo Workstation
# Author: ESRI

# Import system modules
import arcpy
from arcpy import env

# Set environment settings
env.workspace = "C:/data"

# Set local variables
inCover = "major_rds"
identityCover = "citylim"
outCover = "C:/output/major_roads"
featureType = "LINE"

# Execute Identity
arcpy.Identity_arc(inCover, identityCover, outCover, featureType, "", "")

Environments

Related Topics

Licensing Information

ArcView: No
ArcEditor: No
ArcInfo: Requires ArcInfo Workstation installed

Published 6/8/2010