A quick tour of feature builder

The Production Feature Builder toolbar and Feature Builder window allow you to create complex geodesic and ellipsoid features.

Production Feature Builder toolbar

The image below shows the Production Feature Builder toolbar.

Production Feature Builder toolbar
Production Feature Builder toolbar buttons and their functions

Button

Name

Function

Create Target Feature(s)

Create Target Feature(s)

Creates a feature in the target layer for the selected geometry(ies)

Update Feature Shape Using Feature

Update Feature Shape Using Feature

Updates shape of selected feature using the feature

Pinprick

Pinprick

Records the location of the mouse pointer when clicked

Launch Feature Builder

Feature Builder

Opens the Feature Builder window

Create Segment

Create Segment

Creates a geodesic segment using the selected points as endpoints

Convert Polylines To Polygon

Convert Polylines to Polygon

Converts the selected polylines to a polygon

Multi-dimensional Intersect

Multi-dimensional Intersect

Performs a multidimensional intersection on the selection

Dice Polygons

Dice Polygons

Dices the selected polygons into smaller features

Merge

Merge

Merges the selected polygons

Production Feature Builder toolbar buttons and their functions

Feature Builder window

The Feature Builder window allows you to define coordinates, view output coordinates, create geometries, calculate values, and view geometry metadata. The two main sections of the Feature Builder window are the Coordinates area and the Functions area. The Coordinates area contains information about the coordinates that are both input and output for a function. Once features are created, you can also view the coordinates for vertices on geometries. The Functions area contains the functions that can be executed in the selected library and the input and output parameters for each function. Once geometries have been generated using functions, they can be selected, and the metadata for their components can be viewed.

There is also a toolbar at the top of the window that contains tools so you can execute functions, queue coordinates, work with the scratch database, and open the Feature Builder Settings dialog box.

Feature Builder window
Feature Builder window

Tools on the Feature Builder window

The tools at the top of the Feature Builder window are as follows:

The Coordinates area

The tabs in the Coordinates area all display coordinates information that is related to geometries that are created, values that have been calculated, and vertices for geometries that are selected. The format of the coordinates can be managed on the Coordinates Display pane on the Feature Builder Settings dialog box.

Learn more about coordinate display formats

The Input tab

The Input tab in the Coordinates area contains the points necessary to generate a geometry or calculate a value. In some cases, the function determines the number of coordinates that need to be defined. Others can have several coordinates defined, such as the polyline and polygon functions.

Input tab

The Output tab

The Output tab contains the coordinates that are the result of a function. This can be the end point for a bearing distance, for example.

Output tab

Vertices tab

The Vertices tab in the Coordinates area displays coordinates for all the vertices in a selected geometry.

NoteNote:

You must be in an edit session to populate the Vertices tab.

Vertices tab

The Functions area

The Functions area contains two sets of tabs. The first set contains a tab that lists the functions that can be executed from a library and another that allows you to view the components of a selected geometry that has been created using a function. The Functions tab lists the functions that can be executed, which determine the parameters displayed on the Input and Output tabs beneath it. The Components tab displays the metadata for an output geometry that has been selected.

The second set of tabs contains the input and output parameters and values for a function. The Input tab contains the parameters that must be defined before a function can be executed as well as any optional parameters that can be defined. The Output tab contains any parameters that are calculated as a result of the function.

Functions tab

The Functions tab in the Functions area lists all the functions available in a function library. The list can vary depending on the library you have selected on the Feature Builder Settings dialog box.

Functions tab

Input tab

The Input tab in the Functions area contains both required and optional parameters for generating geometries and calculating values. Required parameters include the azimuth, radius, buffer, and distance. Optional parameters include the magnetic variation value, source, and year.

Input tab

Output tab

The Output tab in the Functions area contains values from a function. The output can be azimuths and distances.

Output tab

Components tab

The Components tab in the Functions area lists components and related metadata. The features are listed according to their geometry types. The metadata includes the programmatic name of the function used to create the geometry, the source properties, and other metadata associated with feature builder such as the name and label.

Components tab

The function libraries

The function libraries are groups of functions that allow you to create geometries as well as calculate distance and angle values. There are three function libraries with feature builder:

The functions

There are several functions available in the three feature builder libraries. Below are descriptions of each function and the names of the libraries that include them.

Function name

Description

Libraries

Arc (Azimuth and End Point)

Generates an arc between an azimuth and end point surrounding a central point.

Cartesian, Compsys, Geodetic

Arc (Azimuths)

Generates a geodesic arc as line geometry.

Cartesian, Compsys, Geodetic

Arc (End Points)

Generates an arc between two points surrounding a central point.

Cartesian, Compsys, Geodetic

Bearing Buffer

Generates a polygon based on a specified bearing line.

Cartesian, Compsys, Geodetic

Bearing Distance (Great Circle)

Generates a geometry that represents the shortest distance between two points.

Cartesian, Compsys, Geodetic

Bearing Distance (Magnetic)

Calculates the magnetic course along a distance for navigation purposes.

Geodetic

Bearing Distance (Rhumbline)

Generates a rhumb line between two specified points.

Geodetic

Bearing Distance Calculator

Calculates the angle and distance between two specified points.

Cartesian, Compsys, Geodetic

Bearing Intersection

Calculates the point of intersection between the specified line segment and a bearing line.

Cartesian, Compsys, Geodetic

Circle

Generates an ellipse or circle as a polygon geometry. With the Geodetic or Compsys libraries, the polygon maintains a constant geodesic distance from the specified center point.

Cartesian, Compsys, Geodetic

Circle Bearing Intersection

Computes the point of intersection between a specified circle and a specified bearing line.

Cartesian, Compsys, Geodetic

Circle Circle Intersection

Computes the points of intersection between two given geodesic circles

Cartesian, Compsys, Geodetic

Circle Section

Generates a section of a circle around a specified center point. With the Geodetic or Compsys libraries, the edge of the sector maintains a constant geodesic distance from the specified center point.

Cartesian, Compsys, Geodetic

Magnetic Course Calculator

Calculates the magnetic course and distance based on two points.

Geodetic

Point (Simple)

Generates a point at the specified location.

Cartesian, Compsys, Geodetic

Polygon (Simple)

Generates a polygon based on the specified points.

Cartesian, Compsys, Geodetic

Polyline (Simple)

Generates a polyline based on the specified points.

Cartesian, Compsys, Geodetic

Reference Latitude

Generates a latitude line based on the input point.

Cartesian, Compsys, Geodetic

Reference Longitude

Generates a longitude line based on the input point.

Cartesian, Compsys, Geodetic

Segment Bearing

Computes the point of intersection between a specified line segment and a specified bearing line.

Cartesian, Compsys, Geodetic

Segment Buffer

Generates a buffer polygon based on a specified line segment.

Cartesian, Compsys, Geodetic

Segment Distance

Finds a point at a specified distance from the starting point on the specified line segment.

Cartesian, Compsys, Geodetic

Segment Segment Intersect

Computes the point of intersection between two specified segments.

Cartesian, Compsys, Geodetic

Feature builder functions

4/19/2012