Generate Light Sector (Nautical)

Summary

Creates light sector features based on a specified point feature class. Light sectors typically appear on nautical charts and depict the distance a light can be seen from its source. The light features that light sectors are based on can be found in aids to navigation.

Usage

Syntax

GenerateLightSector_nautical (in_features, boundary_length, blength_unit, sector_radius, radius_unit, start_angle, start_angle_unit, end_angle, end_angle_unit, out_features, output_symbol, {where_clause}, {angle_origin})
ParameterExplanationData Type
in_features

The feature class that contains the light features.

Feature Layer
boundary_length

The length of the boundary lines for the light sector. This is the line that appears on the chart. The value for the line length can be populated based on a specified value or from a field.

  • DoubleThe line length is determined by a value you specify.
  • FieldThe line length is determined by an appropriate field you are using for the line sectors. One field that could be used is Value of nominal range (VALNMR).

The length of the line is calculated in nautical miles by default.

Double;Field
blength_unit

The unit of measurement to use with the length of the light sector boundaries on the chart. When you choose a different unit of measurement, the length is converted from nautical miles to the units you have selected for display on the chart. You can choose from the following page and map units: nautical miles, unknown units, feet, yards, miles, millimeters, centimeters, meters, kilometers, decimal degrees, and decimeters.

To use page units, the data needs to be projected and the reference scale set.

String
sector_radius

The value that represents where the radius for the line sectors is going to be generated in relation to the light. The arc falls between the two boundaries of the light sector. The radius is generated at a distance from the light sector using the units of measurement you select. You can either specify a value for the radius or chose a field in the feature class that contains the radius values.

  • DoubleThe radius is generated at a distance you specify.
  • FieldThe radius is generated based on the value in the field you choose on the feature class.
Double;Field
radius_unit

The unit of measurement for the radius arc that extends between the two light sector boundaries. You can choose from the following page and map units: nautical miles, unknown, points, feet, yards, miles, millimeters, centimeters, meters, kilometers, decimal degrees, and decimeters.

To use page units, the data needs to be projected and the reference scale set.

String
start_angle

The field that contains the value that defines the angle at which the light sector begins. This value is interpreted as a bearing from the ship to the light. The angle for the light sector is calculated in decimal degrees, clockwise from the north.

The value is in the SECTR1 field for S-57 data.

Field
start_angle_unit

The unit of measurement for the angle at which the light sector begins. It is converted from nautical miles to the unit of measurement you choose. You can choose one of the following page or map units: decimal degrees, unknown units, points, feet, yard, miles, nautical miles, millimeters, centimeters, meters, kilometers, and decimeters.

By default, the value in the SECTR1 field is in decimal degrees.

String
end_angle

The field that contains the value that defines the angle at which the light sector ends. This value is interpreted as a bearing from the ship to the light. The angle for the light sector is calculated in decimal degrees, clockwise from the north.

The value is in the SECTR2 field for S-57 data.

Field
end_angle_unit

The unit of measurement for the angle at which the light sector ends. It is converted from nautical miles to the unit of measurement you choose. You can choose one of the following page or map units: decimal degrees, unknown units, points, feet, yard, miles, nautical miles, millimeters, centimeters, meters, kilometers, and decimeters.

By default, the value in the SECTR2 field is in decimal degrees.

String
out_features

The feature class to store the light sectors. You can click the Browse button to either create a new feature class in a specified database or append the new light sectors to an existing feature class. If the feature class exists, light sectors will be appended to the feature class.

Feature Layer
output_symbol

The name of the field that stores the symbol value for the light sectors. The symbol value is associated with a symbol in the style associated with the data specification. You can click the Output Symbol Field drop-down arrow to choose an existing field or type a new field name in the text box.

NoteNote:

The field has to be at least three characters.

String
where_clause
(Optional)

An SQL expression that defines which features from the selected feature class should have light sectors generated.

SQL Expression
angle_origin
(Optional)

Indicates whether the angle origin is land based or seaward.

  • SHIPThe angle origin is based on the ship's position at sea. This is the default value.
  • LIGHTThe angle origin is based on the light's position on land.
Boolean

Code Sample

GenerateLightSector example (Python window)

The following Python window script demonstrates an example of the GenerateLightSector function.

# Load Toolbox - you may have to alter this path
arcpy.ImportToolbox("C:/Program Files/ArcGIS/Desktop10.0/ArcToolbox/Toolboxes/Nautical Tools.tbx")

# Local variables...
US5GA14M_DBO_LightSectors = "Database Servers\<user>_SQLEXPRESS.gds\US5GA14M (VERSION:dbo.DEFAULT)\US5GA14M.DBO.LightSectors"
US5GA14M_DBO_LightSectors__2_ = "Database Servers\<user>_SQLEXPRESS.gds\US5GA14M (VERSION:dbo.DEFAULT)\US5GA14M.DBO.LightSectors"
AidsToNavigationP = "AidsToNavigationP"

# Execute Generate Light Sector
arcpy.GenerateLightSector_Nautical(AidsToNavigationP, "", "VALNMR", "Nautical miles", "10", "Nautical miles", "Ship", "SECTR1", "Decimal degrees", "SECTR2", "Decimal degrees", US5GA14M_DBO_LightSectors, "SYMBOL")

Environments

This tool does not use any geoprocessing environments

Related Topics

Licensing Information

ArcView: No
ArcEditor: No
ArcInfo: Requires Nautical Solution

1/13/2011