Desktop Help 10.0 - Delineate TIN Data Area (3D Analyst)

Summary

Redefines the data area, or interpolation zone, of a triangulated irregular network (TIN) based on its triangle edge length.

Learn more about how Delineate TIN Data Area (3D Analyst) works

Illustration

Usage

This tool modifies the input TIN. If you prefer not to modify the input, consider using the Copy TIN tool to generate a duplicate prior to using this tool.
The value for Maximum Edge Length is best determined from the average spacing of nodes in the TIN within areas that are considered valid data zones. Provide a value that is larger than the average spacing.

Syntax

DelineateTinDataArea_3d (in_tin, max_edge_length, {method})

Parameter	Explanation	Data Type
in_tin	The input TIN.	TIN Layer
max_edge_length	Triangles with at least one edge that exceeds <max_edge_length> will be masked out as NODATA. These triangles will not be rendered in maps and will not be used in surface analysis such as interpolation. Length is the 2D distance.	Double
method (Optional)	The method used for delineating the TIN's data area. PERIMETER_ONLY —Iterates through triangles from the TIN's outer extent inward and will stop when the current iteration of boundary triangle edges does not exceed the Maximum Edge Length. This is the default. ALL —Classifies the entire collection of TIN triangles by edge length.	String

Code Sample

DelineateTINDataArea example 1 (Python window)

The following sample demonstrates the use of this tool in the Python window:

import arcpy
from arcpy import env

arcpy.CheckOutExtension("3D")
env.workspace = "C:/data"
arcpy.DelineateTinDataArea_3d("elevation", 10, "PERIMETER_ONLY")

DelineateTINDataArea example 2 (stand-alone script)

The following sample demonstrates the use of this tool in a stand-alone Python script:

'''****************************************************************************
Name: Define Data Boundary of LAS File
Description: This script demonstrates how to delineate data boundaries of 
             LAS files with irregularly clustered points. It is intended for 
             use as a script tool with one input LAS file.
****************************************************************************'''
# Import system modules
import arcpy
import exceptions, sys, traceback

# Set local variables
inLas = arcpy.GetParameterAsText(0) #input LAS file
ptSpacing = arcpy.GetParameterAsText(1) # LAS point spacing
classCode = arcpy.GetParameterAsText(2) # List of integers
returnValue = arcpy.GetParameterAsText(3) # List of strings
outTin = arcpy.GetParameterAsText(4) # TIN created to delineate data area
outBoundary = arcpy.GetParameterAsText(5) # Polygon boundary file

try:
    arcpy.CheckOutExtension("3D")
    # Execute LASToMultipoint
    arcpy.AddMessage("Creating multipoint features from LAS...")
    lasMP = arcpy.CreateUniqueName('lasMultipoint', 'in_memory')
    arcpy.ddd.LASToMultipoint(inLas, LasMP, ptSpacing, class_code, 
                             "ANY_RETURNS", "", sr, inFormat, zfactor)
    # Execute CreateTin
    arcpy.AddMessage("Creating TIN dataset...")
    arcpy.ddd.CreateTin(outTin, sr, "{0} Shape.Z masspoints"\
                       .format(lasMP), "Delaunay")
    # Execute CopyTin
    arcpy.AddMessage("Copying TIN to delineate data boundary...")
    arcpy.ddd.CopyTin(outTin, "{0}_copy".format(outTin))
    # Execute DelineateTinDataArea
    arcpy.AddMessage("Delineating TIN boundary...")
    maxEdge = ptSpacing * 4
    arcpy.ddd.DelineateTinDataArea(outTin, maxEdge, "PERIMETER_ONLY")
    # Execute TinDomain
    arcpy.AddMessage("Exporting data area to polygon boundary...")
    arcpy.ddd.TinDomain(outTin, outBoundary, "POLYGON")
    arcpy.AddMessage("Finished")
    arcpy.CheckInExtension("3D")
        
except arcpy.ExecuteError:
    print arcpy.GetMessages()
except:
    # Get the traceback object
    tb = sys.exc_info()[2]
    tbinfo = traceback.format_tb(tb)[0]
    # Concatenate error information into message string
    pymsg = 'PYTHON ERRORS:\nTraceback info:\n{0}\nError Info:\n{1}'\
          .format(tbinfo, str(sys.exc_info()[1]))
    msgs = 'ArcPy ERRORS:\n {0}\n'.format(arcpy.GetMessages(2))
    # Return python error messages for script tool or Python Window
    arcpy.AddError(pymsg)
    arcpy.AddError(msgs)

Environments

Current Workspace, Scratch Workspace

Licensing Information

ArcView: Requires 3D Analyst

ArcEditor: Requires 3D Analyst

ArcInfo: Requires 3D Analyst

6/10/2013

Delineate TIN Data Area (3D Analyst)