Tips for formatting feature classes for data migration using the Import Fabric Data wizard
This topic applies to ArcEditor and ArcInfo only.
The starting point for formatting data for migration using the Import Fabric Data wizard is a dataset of parcel lines. If you are starting with polygons, you can convert your polygons to lines using the Polygon To Line geoprocessing tool.
Parcel lines define the parcel polygon, and the endpoints of the lines define the parcel corner points. Parcel lines also define the arc-node topology, as each line accounts for its left and right polygon and its from- and to-points.
Parcel line feature class
Source parcel lines should be individual line segments that connect to form the parcel polygon. Source parcel lines should not be polylines or multipart features. The following tools and utilities can be used to format and clean source parcel lines before polygons and points are generated:
- Multipart To Singlepart
The Multipart To Singlepart geoprocessing tool separates (explodes) multipart features into separate, single-part features. You can also use the Explode tool
located on the Advanced Editing toolbar to separate a selected multipart feature into its individual, component features in ArcMap. - Split Line At Vertices
The Split Line At Vertices geoprocessing tool splits lines at each vertex for the entire input feature class. This tool will turn single, multisegment line features into multiple line features. You can also use the Split Into COGO Lines tool
located on the COGO toolbar. This tool will split selected, multisegment lines into single lines in ArcMap. - Planarize Lines
The Planarize Lines tool
on the Topology toolbar splits lines into individual segments at their points of intersection. This can be useful when you have nontopological line work that has been spaghetti digitized or imported from computer-aided design (CAD) drawings. - COGO Attributes
Parcel lines in the fabric store COGO dimensions. Lines being migrated into the fabric should have COGO fields storing the dimensions. If your lines do not have COGO fields with dimensions, you need to add the COGO fields to the lines, and the inverse of the line shape geometry will be used by the importer to generate the dimensions. Wherever possible, enter the recorded dimension rather than invert the dimensions from the line geometry.
- Connectivity
Because the parcel fabric is treated as a network, you need to ensure that there is sufficient connectivity between blocks of parcels. A connected network of parcel lines is required when running a fabric least-squares adjustment on your parcels. You can create connection lines in your source parcel lines before migration or in the parcel fabric itself using the Create Connection tool
on the Parcel Editor toolbar. Examples of connection lines in the parcel fabric are lines connecting parcels across right-of-way spaces or lines connecting condominium parcels to their underlying parcel corners. Wherever possible, enter the recorded dimensions for the connection line rather than invert the dimensions from the line geometry. Connection line dimensions can be implied from the record of survey.
- Curves
The parcel fabric supports true curves. It is recommended that you convert any curves in the form of densified arcs in your source data into true curves. A densified arc is a series of tiny straight lines that connect to form a curve. If the densified arc has COGO attributes, the parcel fabric data importer will also convert it for you.
- Topology
You can use a topology to locate format errors in your source parcel line feature class. For example, topological rules can be used to locate overlapping lines, dangling lines, and multipart lines.
Tip: