Creating a feature dataset

Creating a feature dataset
Release 9.3

• First, create a new feature dataset.
• Add the set of feature classes that will be held in your feature dataset and populate their contents (i.e., add features). See Creating feature classes.

NOTE: Only the person who created the feature dataset can add feature classes to it.

NOTE: All feature classes added to the geodatabase must have unique names, even if they are grouped into a feature dataset.

• Add optional geodatabase objects to your feature dataset to model relationships and add rich behavior. Options include adding a relationship class, a topology, a network dataset, a terrain, or a geometric network.

Creating a new feature dataset in ArcCatalog

1. In the ArcCatalog tree, right-click the geodatabase in which you want to create a new feature dataset.
2. Point to New and click Feature Dataset.
3. Type a name for the feature dataset.
4. Navigate to the spatial reference you want to use. Alternatively, click Import and navigate to the feature class or feature dataset that uses the spatial reference you want to use as a template.
5. Use Modify if you want to change any parameters in the coordinate system you've chosen. Edit the coordinate system's parameters and click OK.
6. If your data requires a vertical coordinate system for z-units, you may import one from another feature class or feature dataset; otherwise, select None. Click Modify if you want to change any parameters in the coordinate system you've chosen. Edit the coordinate system's parameters and click OK.
7. Enter values for the x,y tolerance, z-tolerance, and m-tolerance, or accept the default value, which is the equivalent of 1 mm in real-world units.

NOTE: Choosing the default value for each tolerance is a very good choice in all but extreme cases.

The x,y, z-, and m-tolerances are used to set the distance that coordinates are allowed to be adjusted by the software during various processing operations.
The default x,y tolerance is set to 0.001 meter or its equivalent in the units of the dataset's coordinate system. For example, if your coordinate system is recorded in feet, the default value is 0.003281 foot (0.03937 inch). If your x,y coordinates are stored in decimal degrees, the default value is 0.0000000556.
Using the default x,y tolerance works extremely well in almost all situations unless you have an extreme case in which you have incredibly precise data (i.e., coordinate accuracy better than survey-grade coordinates). If you need to consider an alternative x,y tolerance value, see Coordinate tolerances for more information.

NOTE: Choosing the z-tolerance and m-tolerance should follow a similar strategy as used for setting the x,y tolerance (i.e., choosing the default in most situations works well).

NOTE: By default, the Accept default resolution and domain extent check box is checked. If you want to manually adjust the domain and extent values of your new dataset, uncheck this box. If you are creating data in a pre-9.2 geodatabase or chose Unknown for the horizontal coordinate system, you should uncheck this box and confirm that the default values are appropriate.

If you've changed the x,y, z-, and/or m-tolerances and want to revert to the default values, click the Reset all tolerances button.
8. If you have unchecked the Accept default resolution and domain extent check box, there is an additional dialog box in the wizard that allows you to change the x,y, z-, and m-resolution as well as the minimum and maximum z- and m-values.
9. Click Finish.

• Want your most frequently used coordinate systems to appear at the top of the list in the wizard so you don't have to navigate down through the tree? First, exit out of the wizard. Now in ArcCatalog, turn on the Coordinate Systems folder (Tools > Options dialog box General tab) if it is not already turned on. Inside the Coordinate Systems folder, drag and drop, or copy and paste, the coordinate systems you use most frequently into the top level of the folder. For example, copy a coordinate system from inside one of the subfolders and then right-click the Coordinate Systems folder and choose Paste. (If you drag and drop coordinate systems to the top level of the Coordinate Systems folder, they are automatically copied, not moved, by ArcCatalog, so they will still be accessible via their original subfolder too.) You can also create new subfolders or reorganize the existing subfolders. Now when you go into the New Feature Dataset wizard again, you'll see those coordinate systems that you moved to the top of the Coordinate Systems folder at the top of the list.