Converting points to lines or polygons

The Production Points to Line or Polygon tool allows you to generate a linear or polygon feature from a selected set of points depending on the selected template.

For example, you can load a set of collected points from a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit into ArcGIS and use this tool to create polyline or polygon features from those points. Ideally, the points would be loaded with associated waypoint IDs that can be used to determine to which path or area the points belong and/or define draw order.

With the Production Points to Line or Polygon tool, you can define how the polyline or polygon feature you want to create is drawn from the selected points. The Select draw order drop-down arrow on the Production Points to Line/Polygon dialog box displays a set of options associated with numeric values. The Production Points to Line or Polygon tool uses the numeric values of the option you select, going from lowest to highest, to create the polyline or polygon feature.

• If the selected target layer is a polyline layer, you can choose from OID (Object ID) or Sort Field options.
• If the selected target layer is a polygon layer, you can choose from OID, Sort Field, or Convex Hull options.

Choosing the Sort Field option for either line or polygon target layers displays another list of options in the Select sort field drop-down list that changes dynamically depending on the selected feature layer. This list is populated with all the layer's numeric fields. The Production Points to Line or Polygon tool uses these selected numeric values to create the polyline or polygon feature, drawing from lowest to highest.

For polygon feature layers, the Convex Hull option provides another method to define how the polygon is created. Convex Hull represents the shape of the selected points, regardless of draw order and without internal holes.

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. If necessary, verify that a polyline or polygon template is selected as the active template on the Create tab of the Manage Features window.
7. Click the Select Features button and select at least two points from the same feature class.
   • You must select at least two points from the same feature class if the target is a polyline template, and only a line feature will be created.
   • You must select at least three points from the same feature class if the target is a polygon template, and only a polygon feature will be created.
8. Click the Production Points to Line or Polygon button on the Production Editing Advanced toolbar.

   The Production Points to Line/Polygon dialog box appears.
9. Click the Select draw order drop-down arrow and choose a draw order option.
   • OID—The ObjectID values are used to determine the draw order for the feature. The line or polygon is created from lowest to highest value. This option is available for both lines and polygons.
   • Sort Field—The field that determines the draw order can be selected from the feature class. The field you choose must be of type integer. The line or point is then created from lowest to highest value. This option is available for both lines and polygons.
   • Convex Hull—Represents the shape of the selected points, regardless of draw order and without internal holes. This option is available for polygons only.

   Choosing the Sort Field option causes the Select sort field drop-down list to become available.
10. If you are using the Sort Field option to determine the drawing order, click the Select sort field drop-down arrow and choose an appropriate sort field.

    If you are not using the Sort Field option, proceed to step 11.

11. Click Create.

The linear or polygon feature is created and written to the selected target layer.