Simplifying bad geometry

Importing data from other sources may introduce geometry that ArcGIS does not support, such as polygons with only two vertices. The Simplify command simplifies the geometries of selected features to ensure that the geometry is valid.

The geometries are simplified based on the conditions they meet. The table below summarizes the different conditions for invalid geometry and the method used to simplify each.

Geometry condition	Simplification method
Null geometry	The feature is deleted from the feature class.
Short segment	The short segment is deleted.
Incorrect ring ordering	The geometry is updated to have correct ring ordering.
Incorrect segment orientation	The geometry is updated to have correct segment orientation.
Self-intersections	The segments that intersect are split at their intersection.
Unclosed rings	The unclosed rings are closed.
Empty parts	That parts that are null or empty are deleted.

Simplification methods for bad geometry

Steps:

1. Start ArcMap.
2. If necessary, load data in the map.
3. On the main menu, click Customize > Toolbars > Production Editing.
4. On the main menu, click Customize > Toolbars > Production Editing Advanced.
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. On the Production Editing Advanced toolbar, click More Edit Tools > Select Bad Geometry.
7. Drag a box around the features to be selected.

   The Select Bad Geometry Complete message box appears, indicating the number of instances of bad geometry found in the current selection.

8. Click OK.

   The features with bad geometry are selected.

9. On the Production Editing Advanced toolbar, click More Edit Tools > Simplify.

   The features with bad geometry are simplified, and the Production Simplify message appears.

10. Click OK.