Create densified line segments

In the Create Features pane, the Densify Lines setting is available with feature templates that create line features. Creating a densified line segment inserts additional vertices at even intervals that are specified in the tool pane as a sample distance. Arcs and curves are not densified.

Note:

This setting is not available in 3D scenes with this release of ArcGIS AllSource.

Create 2D densified line segments

A common use for creating 2D densified line segments is to insert vertices for snapping from-to links when transforming features.

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

      To create a line 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.

2. On the Edit tab, set your snapping preferences and show the Create Features pane.
   1. In the Snapping group, enable your snapping preferences.

      Tip:

      You can press and hold Spacebar to temporarily turn snapping off as you sketch a feature.

   2. In the Features group, click Create .
3. In the Create Features pane, choose a feature template and set your attributes values.
   1. Click a line feature template.
   2. Click the active template button .
   3. Click Attributes and type the values you want to apply to the new feature.
4. Configure the template to create densified lines.
   1. Click Line .
   2. Check the Densify Lines check box.

      Note:

      This setting disables the arc segment tools on the construction toolbar. You can turn this setting off at any time while you create the line feature to enable the tools and create segments that are not densified.

   3. In the Sample Distance text box, type the distance you want between each vertex.
5. Click the map, move the pointer, and click the map again.

   Notice the additional vertices that are automatically generated between the two points you clicked on the map.

6. On the editing toolbar, click Finish , or press the F2 key.

   

Create 3D densified line segments

A common use for creating 3D densified line segments is to drape them onto an elevation surface. You can set a constant z-value or set the elevation mode to derive z-values from the active elevation surface as you sketch a line across a map.

For steps to add an elevation surface to a map, see Elevation surfaces.

1. If the current map does not contain a z-enabled 3D line feature layer, add it.
   1. On the View tab, click Catalog Pane , and expand Databases .
   2. Expand the default database or the database containing your data.

      To create a line 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.

2. On the Edit tab, set your snapping preferences and show the Create Features pane.
   1. In the Snapping group, enable your snapping preferences.

      Tip:

      You can press and hold Spacebar to temporarily turn snapping off as you sketch a feature.

   2. In the Features group, click Create .
3. In the Create Features pane, choose a feature template and set your attributes values.
   1. Click a line feature template.
   2. Click the active template button .
   3. Click Attributes and type the values you want to apply to the new feature.
4. Configure the template to create densified lines.
   1. Click Line .
   2. Check the Densify Lines check box.

      Note:

      This setting disables the arc segment tools on the construction toolbar. You can turn this setting off at any time while you create the line feature to enable the tools and create segments that are not densified.

   3. In the Sample Distance text box, type the distance you want between each vertex.
5. On the Edit tab, in the Elevation group, click the Mode drop-down arrow and enable one of the following z-value modes:
   • Constant mode —Z-values are typed in the text box and applied to all vertices until you change the value.
   • Surface mode —Z-values are derived from the active elevation surface when you click the map and the line is draped onto the surface.
6. Click the map, move the pointer, and click the map again.

   Notice the additional vertices that are automatically generated between the two points you clicked on the map.

7. On the editing toolbar, click Finish , or press the F2 key.