Rendering nodes on lines

The Node Renderer allows you to see where regular nodes, dangles, and pseudo nodes exist in your data. This tool can be used in conjunction with editing tools to determine where features may need to be split or joined.

The node types are described as follows:

• Dangle nodes occur when the end node on a feature is not connected to a node on another feature. They often indicate that a feature is not correctly snapped to other features. However, valid examples of dangles can include culs-de-sac at the ends of streets.
• Pseudo nodes occur when the end node on a feature connects to another end node with no other nodes present. They often indicate that the two features can be merged. For example, a long road segment may have been divided into two features.
• Nodes occur when the end node of a feature connects to multiple end nodes. They occur at intersections where three or more features meet.

You can also compare different layers to see dangles, pseudo nodes, and regular nodes that exist among all the layers for which you want to find nodes. For example, if you choose to compare layers, the Node Renderer searches for dangles in Feature Class 1 after comparing it to other features in Feature Class 1 and Feature Class 2. If you are searching for dangles and pseudo nodes on the roads and railroads layers, for instance, the Node Renderer searches the roads that are connected to other roads or railroads before showing a dangle node.

After the nodes are symbolized in the map, you can correct dangle and pseudo nodes if you are in an edit session. For instance, you can fix dangles by snapping the feature with the dangle to another feature.

Steps:

1. Start ArcMap.
2. Load at least one line feature class in the table of contents.
3. If necessary, add the Node Renderer tool by doing the following:
   1. On the main menu, click Customize > Customize Mode.

      The Customize dialog box appears.

   2. Click the Commands tab.
   3. In the Categories list, click Production Mapping.
   4. Click and drag the Node Renderer button to a toolbar.
   5. Click Close.
4. Click the Node Renderer button .

   The Node Renderer dialog box appears.

   
5. Check the check boxes for each type of node you want to symbolize for each layer.

   You can choose any of the three types of nodes, or you can render all three types in the map.

   • Dangles—Dangle nodes are identified on line features when the check box is checked.
   • Pseudos—Pseudo nodes are identified on line features when the check box is checked.
   • Nodes—Regular nodes are identified on line features when the check box is checked.

   Tip:

   You can press Ctrl and click to enable Dangle, Pseudo, or Node rendering for all layers.

6. If you want to compare the different layers to determine if there is a dangle or pseudo node between different layers, check the Compare between selected layers when rendering check box.

   When this check box is checked, the layers selected on the Node Renderer dialog box are compared to each other before it is determined that the chosen node types exist on the feature.

7. Click OK.

The node types you have chosen on the Node Renderer dialog box are represented in the map.