Create rectangular features

The Rectangle tool Rectangle creates planar rectangular or square features using the pointer or typed values. This tool is available in the Create Features pane with line and polygon feature templates.

When you use this tool, consider the following:

  • Vertices for 3D z-aware features are assigned z-values based on your current elevation settings.
  • The feature is automatically finished when its location, direction, and dimensions are fully defined.
  • Click the Horizontal / Grid Aligned button Horizontal/Grid Aligned to constrain a rectangle orthogonal to the map's coordinates system or the grid for editing if it is turned on. This setting is available on the construction toolbar and on the context menu when you right-click the map.

Note:

If the active map is set to a geographic coordinate system, your specified distances and directions are measured using the North Azimuth (0 degrees) system and may produce unexpected alignment or accuracy errors.

To avoid these types of errors, the best practice is to assign the active map a projected coordinate system that matches the coordinate system of the layer or layers you are editing.

To create features that account for the earth's ellipsoid surface, use the Construct Geodetic tool Construct Geodetic or consider using the Two-Point line tool 2-Point Line with code-value domains to specify direction types in an attribute field named Azimuth Type.

Draw or type the length and width

By default, the Rectangle tool Rectangle creates a rectangle with three pointer clicks. After clicking two locations to specify a corner and a direction, you can right-click the map and type length and width values.

To draw a rectangle with the pointer, complete the following steps:

  1. Add your data and configure settings for editing.

    Confirm the feature layer you are editing is editable, the coordinate system assigned to the active map is suitable for the type of edits you're performing, and snapping is configured to help you work efficiently and accurately.

  2. On the ribbon, click the Edit tab. In the Features group, click Create Create Features.
  3. In the Create Features pane, click a polyline or polygon feature template.
  4. Click the Rectangle tool Rectangle.

    To override default attribute values or change optional tool settings, click the Active Template button Forward and click the following tabs:

    Attributes Attributes

    Type values in the attribute fields to override the source default values.

    Rectangle Rectangle

    Check Modify existing polygons to prevent overlapping to automatically clip existing polygons on the same layer if they overlap your new feature.

  5. Click the map to create the first corner.

    To type a coordinate location, right-click the map and click Absolute X,Y,Z Absolute XYZ.

  6. Move the pointer and click the map to specify the direction of the feature.

    To type a direction value, right-click the map and click Direction Direction.

  7. Move the pointer to specify the length and width, and click the map.

    To type a coordinate location, right-click the map and click Absolute X,Y,Z Absolute XYZ.

    To type values for the length or the width, right-click and click the corresponding command described in the following table:

    ButtonDescription

    Square New Rectangle

    Click and turn this setting on to constrain the feature to a square. A value typed for the length or width is applied to the remaining side. This button is also available on the construction toolbar.

    Length Height

    Type the length value. If this dimension fully defines the feature, the feature is automatically finished.

    Width Width

    Type the width value. If this dimension fully defines the feature, the feature is automatically finished.

Type the direction and size

The Direction/Size Direction/Size dialog box creates a rectangle from values you type for direction, length, and width. To change direction or distance units, click a parameter drop-down arrow.

To create a rectangle with typed values for direction and size, complete the following steps:

  1. Add your data and configure settings for editing.

    Confirm the feature layer you are editing is editable, the coordinate system assigned to the active map is suitable for the type of edits you're performing, and snapping is configured to help you work efficiently and accurately.

  2. On the ribbon, click the Edit tab. In the Features group, click Create Create Features.
  3. In the Create Features pane, click a polyline or polygon feature template.
  4. Click the Rectangle tool Rectangle.

    To override default attribute values or change optional tool settings, click the Active Template button Forward and click the following tabs:

    Attributes Attributes

    Type values in the attribute fields to override the source default values.

    Rectangle Rectangle

    Check Modify existing polygons to prevent overlapping to automatically clip existing polygons on the same layer if they overlap your new feature.

  5. Click the map to create the first corner.

    To type a coordinate location, right-click the map and click Absolute X,Y,Z Absolute XYZ.

  6. Right-click, click Direction/Size Direction/Size, choose the units, type the direction and distance values, and press Enter.

    Direction/Size

Keyboard shortcuts

The keyboard shortcuts described in the following table provide an alternative way to execute commands for this tool.

Keyboard shortcutActionComment

Tab

Turn Horizontal / Grid Aligned Horizontal/Grid Aligned on or off.

When turned on, constrains the feature vertical or horizontal at 90-degree angles.

A

Specify a direction Direction.

Open the Direction dialog box.

L

Specify a length Height.

Open the Length dialog box.

W

Specify a width Width.

Open the Width dialog box.

F6

Specify absolute X,Y,Z Absolute XYZ.

Open the Absolute X,Y,Z dialog box.

Shift and drag

Make the shape a square.

Constrain the shape to a square. Create the first point of the rectangle, press the keyboard shortcut, and drag.

Shift

Turn Square on or off.

When turned on, constrains the shape to a square.

Keyboard shortcuts for the Rectangle construction tool