Create polyline features

The Line tool for polyline features layers creates singlepart and multipart polyline features. Polyline features comprise straight and curved line segments that have length but not area at a given scale. They can be used to represent boundaries, roads, rivers, and walls. Segment construction tools specific to the active tool are available on the Mapview toolbar, construction toolbar and mini toolbar above the context menu when you right-click the map.

When you use a polyline construction tool, consider the following:

• Vertices for 3D z-aware features are assigned z-values based on your current elevation settings.
• To resume editing an existing feature, use the Continue Feature tool .

Create polyline features in a new layer

To create a new memory polyline feature class and add lines, complete the following steps:

1. On the Edit tab, in the New Features group, click New Line Layer.

   A new layer named Polyline is added to the map.

   Note:

   New feature layers are initially created in a memory workspace. Features and attributes can be quickly captured but must be saved to a local workspace before the project is closed. To save a memory workspace, right-click the new feature layer in Contents and select Save. The features are saved to the project default geodatabase. Alternatively, if the layer is not saved, you are prompted to save it before the project is closed. If you do not save the memory workspace when the project is closed, the information is deleted.

2. Click the map to create the first vertex.

   Alternatively, right-click, click Absolute X,Y,Z and type the coordinate location.

   Tip:

   After creating the first vertex, you can click the Two-Point Line tool and continue sketching a two-point line without losing the vertex.

3. To finish the feature, double-click to add the final vertex, click Finish , or press F2.

   Alternatively, to create another part for a multipart feature, right-click and click Finish Part .

4. Optionally, add an attribute label to the new feature
   1. Click Edit on the Edit toolbar in the Features group.

      The Edit Feature pane appears.

   2. Type a value in the Label text box, and press Enter.

      The label is added to the feature in the map.

5. On the Mapview toolbar, click Save All Edits.

   Optionally, on the ribbon, in the Manage Edits group, click Save All Edits .

   Alternatively, on the ribbon, in the Manage Edits group, click Save All Edits .

6. On the Edit tab, in the Close group, click Close Edit Mode .

   Optionally, continue editing until you're ready to close Editing mode.

   Alternatively, continue editing until you're ready to close Editing mode.

   Edit Mode is enabled and the Edit tab appears on the ribbon.

Create multisegment polyline features

The Line tool creates straight line segments between vertices you click on the map.

To create a multisegment or densified polyline feature, complete the following steps:

1. Add the data and configure the editing settings.

   Confirm that 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 Map tab, in the Features group, click Edit .
3. In the Contents pane, select the polyline layer you want to edit.
4. Click the Line tool on the Mapview toolbar.
5. Click the map to create the first vertex.

   Alternatively, right-click, click Absolute X,Y,Z and type the coordinate location.

   Tip:

   After creating the first vertex, you can click the Two-Point Line tool and continue sketching a two-point line without losing the vertex.

6. Move the pointer and click the map to create the first segment. Repeat this step until the feature is fully developed.

   To create other segment types or trace existing features, click the corresponding segment construction tool on the construction toolbar.

   

   When you create segments, consider the following:

   • Right-click the map to type a numeric value for direction, distance, or elevation, override active snap settings and snap to other features, or to apply a geometric constraint.
   • To modify unfinished geometry as you draw the feature, click the Vertex Editing button on the construction toolbar and turn on vertex editing.
7. To finish the feature, click Finish , or press F2.

   Alternatively, to create another part for a multipart feature, right-click and click Finish Part .

8. On the Mapview toolbar, click Save All Edits.

   Optionally, on the ribbon, in the Manage Edits group, click Save All Edits .

   Alternatively, on the ribbon, in the Manage Edits group, click Save All Edits .

9. On the Edit tab, in the Close group, click Close Edit Mode .

   Optionally, continue editing until you're ready to close Editing mode.

   Alternatively, continue editing until you're ready to close Editing mode.

   Edit Mode is enabled and the Edit tab appears on the ribbon.

Create two-point line features

The Two-Point Line tool creates two-point line features and automatically finishes the feature when you create the second vertex.

To create two-point line features, complete the following steps:

1. Add the data and configure the editing settings.

   Confirm that 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 Map tab, in the Features group, click Edit .
3. In the Contents pane, select the polyline layer you want to edit. By choosing a polyline layer, the Line tool activates as the default tool.
4. On the Mapview toolbar, click the Two-Point Line tool .
5. Click the map to create the first vertex.

   Alternatively, right-click, click Absolute X,Y,Z and type the coordinate location.

6. Move the pointer and click the map to create the second vertex and automatically finish the feature.

   Alternatively, right-click, click Absolute X,Y,Z and type the coordinate location.

   To create a two-point arc, click the corresponding segment construction tool on the construction toolbar.

   

7. On the Mapview toolbar, click Save All Edits.

   Optionally, on the ribbon, in the Manage Edits group, click Save All Edits .

   Alternatively, on the ribbon, in the Manage Edits group, click Save All Edits .

8. On the Edit tab, in the Close group, click Close Edit Mode .

   Optionally, continue editing until you're ready to close Editing mode.

   Alternatively, continue editing until you're ready to close Editing mode.

   Edit Mode is enabled and the Edit tab appears on the ribbon.

Create freehand polyline features

The Freehand tool creates free-form polyline segments following the movement of the pointer.

When you use this tool, consider the following:

• Snapping is automatically turned off until you finish the feature.
• The construction toolbar is not available with this tool.

To create a freehand polyline feature, complete the following steps:

1. Add the data and configure the editing settings.

   Confirm that 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 Map tab, in the Features group, click Edit .
3. In the Contents pane, select the polyline layer you want to edit.
4. On the Mapview toolbar, click the Freehand tool .
5. Click the map to create the first vertex.

   Alternatively, right-click, click Absolute X,Y,Z and type the coordinate location.

6. Move the pointer to create a freehand feature following the movement of the pointer.
7. Click the map to finish the feature.

   The segments are automatically converted to Bézier curves.

8. On the Mapview toolbar, click Save All Edits.

   Optionally, on the ribbon, in the Manage Edits group, click Save All Edits .

   Alternatively, on the ribbon, in the Manage Edits group, click Save All Edits .

9. On the Edit tab, in the Close group, click Close Edit Mode .

   Optionally, continue editing until you're ready to close Editing mode.

   Alternatively, continue editing until you're ready to close Editing mode.

   Edit Mode is enabled and the Edit tab appears on the ribbon.