Create features from GNSS device locations

In the Create Features pane, you can use feature templates to create features at geographic locations streamed from a connected global navigation satellite system (GNSS) device. This is available when a GNSS device is added to a project and the device location is turned on in the current map.

To create point features or vertices at locations streamed from a connected GNSS device, complete the following steps:

1. Add the GNSS device to the project.
   1. On the View tab, in the Device Location group, click the Device Location Options dialog box launcher .
   2. In the Options dialog box, click the Device Location tab.
   3. Click the GNSS device arrow, choose the active GNSS device, and set the accuracy threshold.

      

   4. To change the accuracy threshold, type the value in the Accuracy threshold text box, and set the units.
   5. Click OK.
2. Turn on the device location and adjust the navigation settings.

   A blue marker tracks the movement of the device on the map. A red marker indicates that the accuracy of the location data is exceeding the accuracy threshold set for the device in the project Options settings.

   1. On the View tab, in the Device Location group, click and turn on Enable Location .

      This shows the Device Location tab and a location marker in the map for the connected device.

      Note:

      To show the Device Location pane and view device location and position details, click the Device Location arrow and click Location Details .

   2. On the Device Location tab, adjust the visibility and navigation settings.

      To pan to the current location of the connected device, click Pan to location .

      

3. If the current map does not contain the feature layer for the data, add it.
   1. On the View tab, click Catalog Pane , and expand Databases .
   2. Expand the default database or the database containing the data.

      To create a feature class, right-click the database, click New and click Feature Class.

   3. Drag the feature class onto the map.

      A feature template with default settings is automatically generated for the new layer.

4. Open the Create Features pane and choose a feature template.
   1. On the Edit tab, click Create .
   2. Click a point, line, or polygon feature template.

      The construction toolbar appears at the bottom of the map.

5. On the construction toolbar, click Add device location or press Ctrl+G to create a point feature or a vertex at the current geographic location of the device shown by the marker.

   Repeat this step to create multiple points or vertices. If GNSS metadata fields exist, they are automatically populated with GNSS location information.

   To add these fields to a source feature class, use the Add GPS Metadata Fields geoprocessing tools.

   • Point feature templates create point features and finish each feature automatically.

     

   • Line and polygon feature templates create vertices. To finish the feature and create another feature, click Finish or press F2.

     

   Note:

   The warning tool icon indicates that the accuracy of the location data is exceeding the accuracy threshold set for the device in the project Options settings.

6. To exit the active feature construction tool and hide the toolbar, press Esc.
7. On the Edit tab, in the Manage group, click Save Edits to save your edits.