Editing network datasets
Release 9.3 Last modified March 2, 2010	Print all topics in : "Building and editing the network dataset"

About editing network datasets

Once a network dataset is built, it can be edited. The following list provides examples of ways you can edit the network dataset:

• Sources can be added or removed from it, and connectivity can be modified.
  
• If the network supports turns, new turn sources can be added or existing ones removed.
  
• Attributes can be added, removed, or redefined.
  
• Hierarchy can be modified.
  
• Direction information, set up when the network was built, can also be changed.
  

Changes to the schema of the network datset are made in the Network Dataset Properties dialog box. Here are the steps to open the the dialog box:

1. Open ArcCatalog and use the Catalog Tree to browse to your network dataset.
   
2. Right-click the network dataset and click Properties.
   

In addition to the changes in the schema of the network, the basic network can be edited by editing its sources. If a new road has been added, then creating a new feature in the streets source and rebuilding the network will ensure that the network dataset is updated. If the speed limit field value on certain roads has changed and that affects the travel_time network attribute, then rebuilding the network will ensure that the correct values for travel_time are stored for the roads in question.

Editing source features

Since network elements are created from features of network sources, all edits must be made to the sources. Once the sources are edited, the network should be rebuilt.

• Features in edge and junction sources are edited in the same manner as features in any other feature class in ArcMap.
  
Learn more about editing features in ArcMap.

Once the sources are edited, you will need to ensure that all new features have shared vertices with intersecting features. This can be achieved by using the Integrate tool in ArcToolbox or by using topology.

Learn more about the Integrate tool.
Learn more about topology.


• Turn sources can be edited by editing turn features or by editing turn source fields.
  
Learn more about editing turn features.
Learn more about editing turn feature class fields.

Copying network datasets

In ArcCatalog, you can copy and paste a geodatabase-based network dataset from a feature dataset into another feature dataset with the same spatial reference. All feature classes that participate in the network dataset are also copied over. The new network dataset must be built before it can be used.
Learn more about building network datasets in ArcCatalog.

How to edit network datasets

Adding network sources

1. In ArcCatalog, right-click the network dataset and click Properties.
   
2. Click the Sources tab to see the list of sources participating in the network.
   
3. Click Add to open the Add Network Sources dialog box.
   
4. Click a source from the list and click OK.
   
A feature class can be added as a source to the network only if it is located in the same feature dataset as the network and is a simple line or point feature class. Custom feature classes cannot be added as sources to a network dataset.

5. Click OK to close the Network Dataset Properties dialog box.
   

If the source that is added will change the connectivity, you will need to modify the connectivity settings and the elevation field settings.
If the source that is added will change the values for attributes, you will need to edit the attributes.


6. After finishing edits, in the Catalog tree, right-click the network dataset and click Build.
   
The network must be rebuilt to create new elements based on new sources added, reestablish the connectivity, and recalculate affected attributes.

Removing network sources

1. In ArcCatalog, right-click the network dataset and click Properties.
   
2. Click the Sources tab to see the list of sources participating in the network.
   
3. Click a source you want to remove.
   
4. Click Remove.
   
5. Click OK to close the Network Dataset Properties dialog box.
   
If the source being removed will change the connectivity, you will need to modify the connectivity settings and the elevation field settings.
If the source being removed will change the values for attributes, you will need to edit the attributes.


6. After finishing edits, in the Catalog tree, right-click the network dataset and click Build.
   
The network must be rebuilt to create new elements based on new sources added, reestablish the connectivity, and recalculate affected attributes.

Modifying connectivity

1. In ArcCatalog, right-click the network dataset and click Properties.
   
2. Click the Connectivity tab to examine the connectivity of the network dataset.
   
3. To modify the connectivity policy of a source, click in the Connectivity Policy column for the source and choose the connectivity policy from the list.
   
Edge sources can be set to End Point or Any Vertex connectivity.
Junction sources can be set to honor or override the connectivity policy of edge sources.




4. To modify the number of connectivity groups for the network dataset, click the Group Columns arrows to increase or decrease the number.
   
5. Check the box in the relevant connectivity group column to assign sources to a connectivity group.
   
6. To model the connectivity of edge sources at the subtype level (if your feature class has subtypes), click Subtypes.
   
Learn more about creating subtypes for your feature class.


7. Check the subtypes you want to add.
   
The number next to the subtype in parentheses—for example, (3)—signifies that there are three subtypes in the feature class. Connectivity can be modified per subtype within the Connectivity Settings dialog box.





8. Click OK.
   
9. The Connectivity Groups list will now include a separate entry for each subtype in the source.
   
Each subtype can now be assigned to a connectivity group, with a separate connectivity policy.





10. Click OK to close the Network Dataset Properties dialog box.
    
11. When you're finished editing the network dataset properties, in the Catalog tree, right-click the network dataset and click Build.
    
The network must be rebuilt to reestablish the connectivity.

Modifying elevation fields connectivity

1. In ArcCatalog, right-click the network dataset and click Properties.
   
2. Click the Elevation tab to examine and modify elevation fields connectivity.
   


3. To change the field used to provide elevation data, click under the Field column and click the correct field from the drop-down list.
   





4. Click OK to close the Network Dataset Properties dialog box.
   
5. When you're finished editing the network dataset properties, in the Catalog tree, right-click the network dataset and click Build.
   
The network must be rebuilt to reestablish the connectivity based on elevation fields.

Adding or removing turns

1. In ArcCatalog, right-click the network dataset and click Properties.
   
2. Click the Turns tab to add or remove turn sources from the network dataset.
   

NOTE: If there is no Turns tab on your Network Dataset Properties dialog box, then your network does not support turns.




3. To add turn sources, click Add.
   
The Add Turn Sources dialog box will display a list of available turn sources present in the same feature dataset as the network.


4. Click a turn source.
   
5. Click OK to add the selected turn source to the network dataset properties.
   


6. To remove a turn feature source, click the turn name in the Turns list and click Remove.
   
7. If the addition or removal of a turn source will change the values of any attribute, you will need to modify the network attributes (see Modifying network attributes, below).
   
8. Click OK to close the Network Dataset Properties dialog box.
   
9. When you're finished editing the network dataset properties, in the Catalog tree, right-click the network dataset and click Build.
   
The network must be rebuilt to create new turn elements based on the changes made.

Tips

You can add turn sources to your network only if your network dataset supports turns. If you want to add turns to a network that does not support turns, you will have to create a new network dataset that supports turns. If you have no turn sources, you will have to create a new turn feature class or import an existing turn table to a turn feature class. Learn more about creating a turn feature class. Learn more about creating turn features. Learn more about importing turn tables.

Modifying network attributes

1. In ArcCatalog, right-click the network dataset and click Properties.
   
2. Click the Attributes tab.
   


3. To add new attributes, click Add.
   
This opens the Add New Attribute dialog box.

4. Type a name and click the drop-down arrows to choose a usage type, units, and the data type of the new attribute.
   
5. Click OK.
   


6. To remove an attribute, click the attribute in the Attributes list and click Remove.
   
7. To remove all network attributes, click Remove All.
   
8. To rename a network attribute, click the attribute in the Attributes list and click Rename.
   
9. Type the new name and press Enter on the keyboard.
   


10. To duplicate a network attribute, click the attribute in the Attributes list and click Duplicate.
    
The name of the new attribute is the name of the selected attribute with a suffix of (2). For example, if the Oneway attribute is duplicated, the name of the new attribute will be Oneway (2). You can also select the new attribute and rename it. The new attribute will have the same evaluators as the original attribute. The hierarchy attribute cannot be duplicated.


11. To modify the hierarchy ranges for a hierarchy attribute, click the attribute in the Attribute list and click Ranges.
    
The Ranges button is disabled until a hierarchy attribute is selected.


12. In the Hierarchy Ranges dialog box, click the "up to" or "and higher" arrows to modify the hierarchy ranges.
    


13. Click OK.
    


14. To modify the evaluators associated with a selected attribute, click Evaluators to open the Evaluators dialog box.
    
To learn more about assigning evaluators, see the steps in Assigning evaluators (below).


15. Click OK to close the Evaluators dialog box.
    


16. Click OK to close the Network Dataset Properties dialog box.
    


17. When you're finished editing the network dataset properties, in the Catalog tree, right-click the network dataset and click Build.
    

Assigning evaluators

1. In ArcCatalog, right-click the network dataset and click Properties.
   
2. Click the Attributes tab.
   


3. To modify the evaluators associated with a selected attribute, click Evaluators to open the Evaluators dialog box.
   
4. The most common way to assign values for network attributes is through a field evaluator. To assign a field evaluator for a source:
   
i. Under the Type column, click the source row and click Field.
ii. Under the Value column, click the source row and click the correct field from the list.
Attributes can be assigned a constant value.

i. Under the Type column, click the source row and click Constant.
ii. Under the Value column, right-click the source row, point to Value, and click

• Traversable or Restricted for a restriction attribute
  
• A numeric value for cost, descriptor, and hierarchy attributes
  
• Properties and enter a numeric value
  
The field evaluator can be modified to take a field expression as the value instead of a single field.

i. Under the Type column, click the source row and click Field.
ii. Under the Value column, right-click the source row, point to Value, and click Properties.
This opens the Field Evaluators dialog box, where you can enter an expression.
iii. On the Field Evaluators dialog box, enter the expression.
iv. Click OK.
Attributes can also be assigned from the results of the execution of VBScripts.

i. Under the Type column, click the source row, and click Field.
ii. Under the Value column, right-click the source row, point to Value, and click Properties.
This opens the Field Evaluators dialog box.
iii. In the Pre-Logic VBScript Code textbox, enter the VBScript.
iv. In the Value textbox, enter a value.
v. Click OK.
5. Click OK to close the Field Evaluators dialog box.
   
6. Click OK to close the Network Dataset Properties dialog box.
   


7. When you're finished editing the network dataset properties, in the Catalog tree, right-click the network dataset and click Build.
   

Modifying direction settings

1. In ArcCatalog, right-click the network dataset and click Properties.
   
2. Click the Directions tab.
   
3. Click Directions to open the Network Direction Properties dialog box.
   

Direction settings can be modified on the Network Dataset Properties dialog box.

4. Make your edits to the directions.
   
Learn about setting up directions.


5. Click OK to close the Network Direction Properties dialog box.
   
6. Click OK to close the Network Dataset Properties dialog box.
   


7. When you're finished editing the network dataset properties, in the Catalog tree, right-click the network dataset and click Build.
   

Please visit the Feedback page to comment or give suggestions on ArcGIS Desktop Help.
Copyright © Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc.