Populating attributes with m-values

In instances where route features do not have from- and to-measure fields populated, you can update them using the LRS Convert Measures To Attributes tool. This tool copies the first m-value and last m-value into fields on the route feature. This allows you to store the starting and ending points for the route features relative to their positions on an entire route. For example, if you have a route that represents a section of Interstate 10, the starting value is not necessarily going to be 0, and the ending value does not represent the end of the freeway.

The m-values can be copied to two fields of type double on the route feature class.

Exporting m-enabled data from the geodatabase to other data formats may remove the measure values in the geometry. Storing the starting and ending measures as attributes on the route ensures that events can still be referenced to the route when using other data formats.

Steps:

1. Start ArcMap.
2. Load route features in the map or open an existing map document.
3. On the main menu, click Customize > Toolbars > Production Linear Referencing.
4. On the main menu, click Customize > Toolbars > Production Editing.
5. Click the Production Start Editing button on the Production Editing toolbar.
   Note:

   The Manage Features and Create Attributes, Update Attributes, or Metadata Attributes windows automatically appear when you start an edit session using the Production Start Editing tool.

   Tip:

   If the Create Attributes, Update Attributes, or Metadata Attributes window does not appear when you start an edit session, click the Show/Hide Attributes button on the Manage Features window.

6. If necessary, enable classic snapping on the Production Editing toolbar by clicking Production Editing > Use Classic Snapping.

   Note:

   To disable classic snapping, it is recommended that you click Production Editing > Use Classic Snapping on the Production Editing toolbar.

7. Select one or more features from the route layer using the Select Features tool on the Tools toolbar or the Edit tool on the Production Editing toolbar.
   Note:

   You can make the route layer the only selectable layer by clicking the List By Selection button on the table of contents, then right-clicking the route layer and clicking Make This the Only Selectable Layer.

8. Click the LRS Convert Measures To Attributes button on the Production Linear Referencing toolbar.

   The Convert Ms To Attributes dialog box appears.

   Note:

   This dialog box does not appear if the route feature class does not have two fields of type double that can accept the measure values.
9. Click the From Measure Field drop-down arrow and choose the field you want to populate with the starting m-value.
10. Click the To Measure Field drop-down arrow and choose the field you want to populate with the ending m-value.
11. Click OK.

The measure values for the selected line features are copied to the specified fields on the route feature class.

Tip:

You can see the from- and to-measure values on the feature by choosing it on the Update tab on the Manage Features window.