Converting points to lines or polygons
Release 9.3 Last modified February 4, 2009	Print all topics in : "Editing existing features"

About converting points to lines or polygons

The PLTS 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 target layer.

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 PLTS 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 Pts to Ln/Poly dialog box displays a set of options associated with numeric values. The PLTS 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 PLTS 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.

How to convert points to lines or polygons

Adding the PLTS Points to Line or Polygon tool

1. In ArcMap, click the Tools menu and click Customize.
   
The Customize dialog box appears.

2. Click the Commands tab.
   
3. In the Categories list, choose PLTS Editing.
   
4. In the Commands list, click and drag the PLTS Points to Line or Polygon tool to a toolbar.
   
5. Click Close.
   

Converting points to lines or polygons

1. If necessary, verify that a polyline or polygon layer is selected as the target layer.
   
2. Start an edit session.
   
3. Click the PLTS Select Tool 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 layer is a polyline layer, and only a line feature will be created.
  
• You must select at least three points from the same feature class if the target layer is a polygon layer, and only a polygon feature will be created.
  


4. Click the PLTS Points to Line or Polygon button .
   
The Pts to Ln/Poly dialog box appears.




5. Click the Select draw order drop-down arrow and choose a draw order option.
   




• If the target layer is a polyline layer, choose OID or Sort Field.
  
• If the target layer is a polygon layer, choose OID, Sort Field, or Convex Hull.
  


Choosing the Sort Field option causes the Select sort field drop-down list to become available.




6. Click the Select sort field drop-down arrow and choose an appropriate sort field.
   




7. Click Create.
   
The Pts to Ln/Poly dialog box closes, and the linear or polygon feature is created and written to the selected target layer.

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