Creating a segment that represents a distance

The Segment Distance function creates a segment based on two input coordinates and a specified distance. The segment can be used to represent a distance that extends from the first coordinate, though it may not necessarily connect with the second coordinate.

Example of input and output for the Segment Distance function
Steps:
  1. Start ArcMap.
  2. On the menu bar, click Customize > Toolbars > Production Feature Builder.
  3. Click the Launch Feature Builder button Launch Feature Builder on the Production Feature Builder toolbar.

    The Feature Builder window appears in ArcMap.

    The Feature Builder window
    The Feature Builder window

    TipTip:

    The Feature Builder window can be placed anywhere in ArcMap, or in the TOC, with the aid of the arrows showing the possible placement positions.

  4. Choose Segment Distance in the list on the Functions tab.

    Feature Builder window with the Segment Distance function selected

  5. Define a coordinate for the start point of the polyline by doing one of the following:
    • Clicking the Pinprick button Pinprick on the Production Feature Builder toolbar, then clicking on the map
    • Typing the coordinates in the cells on the Input tab in the Coordinates area
    TipTip:

    To view the input coordinates on the map, double-click the row headers for each coordinate.

  6. Repeat step 5 to define a coordinate for the end point of the segment.
  7. Click the cell next to Distance and type a value.

    This is the distance the segment is going to extend from the first coordinate. The default unit is Nautical Miles.

    TipTip:

    You can right-click the parameter name and change the unit of measurement. If you change the unit of measurement after defining a value, the value is converted to the new unit of measurement, and you may need to redefine the value.

  8. Click the Execute button Execute.

Depending on the locations of the two coordinates and the distance specified, the resulting segment may not connect the two coordinates.

TipTip:

If the segment and endpoint do not appear, click the Add Scratch Data Layers button Add scratch data layers at the top of the Feature Builder window.


7/31/2012