Import features into a scenario

ArcGIS GeoPlanner allows you to import existing features into a scenario so you can begin a plan or design from a known baseline. Starting a design or plan from existing conditions provides a method to compare before-and-after scenarios. Using a dashboard in the GeoPlanner Evaluate segment, you can quickly visualize the impacts of your proposed design and how it differs from current conditions.

GeoPlanner can import points, lines, and polygons from feature layers shared on ArcGIS Enterprise. The importer allows you to map source feature types to target feature types. For example, you want to import agricultural data into a GeoPlanner scenario in a project based on the GeoPlanner template for land-use planning. The Import Scenario tool allows you to map source features that represent fruit to target features of type Agricultural Orchard and source features that represent grain to target features of type Agricultural Crop. You can also import attribute values associated with geometries into a target scenario. If your project feature service has default values configured for one or more attributes, the scenario importer initializes those default values in the target scenario.

Once you have imported features into a scenario, you can do any of the following:

  • Create, edit, or delete features.
  • Visualize feature summaries in dashboard charts and indicators in dashboard gauges.
  • Execute analysis tools on the Explore segment's Analyze tool menu to understand your design's impact.
  • Save the scenario that contains the imported features to a new scenario using the Save button's Save Scenario As utility.

Note:

Currently, you can import a maximum of 10,000 polygons, 15,000 lines, and 25,000 points into a scenario during a single import operation. If you need to import more features, create separate layers using Map Viewer Classic, available in ArcGIS Enterprise. You can also use the Add to Design Layers tool from a feature layer's context menu in the Contents pane.

Import features into a scenario

To import existing features into a scenario, add a feature layer to a GeoPlanner project and specify which scenario to import into.

  1. In GeoPlanner, use the Add Data tool to add one or more feature layers to a project.

    If you want to import file-based datasets such as geodatabase feature classes or shapefiles for use in GeoPlanner, you can publish features and add files from your computer.

  2. Note:

    You can import any feature layer with a geometryType property of esriGeometryPolygon, esriGeometryPolyline, or esriGeometryPoint. Feature layers of type esriGeometryMultipoint cannot be imported.

  3. Click the scenario drop-down arrow and choose Import.
    Import option in Scenario A drop-down menu
  4. Click the Source drop-down arrow on the Import Features to Scenario dialog box and choose the layer you added in step 1.
  5. Choose a scenario layer from the Target drop-down list.
  6. Choose a scenario from the Scenario drop-down list.
    Import Features to Scenario
    Note:

    You can check Filter by current map extent to import only features that are visible in the active map extent.

  7. Click Next to advance the import tool to the Feature Type Mapping pane.
  8. Choose one of the following options to map source feature types to target feature types:
    • Select a feature type for all features—Imports all source features into a single target feature type. Choose a target feature type from the drop-down list.
    • Select a field with feature type values for features—Maps source features to specific target features. Choose a source field from the drop-down list. Source Type and Target Type columns appear under the drop-down list. For each source type, choose a target type.
      Feature type mapping in scenario importer
  9. Click Next to advance the import tool to the Field Mapping pane.
  10. Optionally, for each source field, choose a target field from the drop-down list.
    Note:

    You can only map the source to target fields that do not result in data loss or truncation. For example, you can only map source double fields to target double fields. The following combinations are allowed:

    Source field typeTarget field types

    Date

    Date

    Double

    Double

    Float

    Double, Float

    GlobalID

    GlobalID

    GUID

    GUID

    Long

    Double, Float, Long

    ObjectID

    Long

    Short

    Double, Float, Long, Short

    Text

    Text

  11. Click Next to advance the import tool to the Execution Status pane.
  12. Click Import. The Import Features to Scenario dialog box closes.

    A spinning animation appears on the Jobs tab of the Contents window. Once this animation stops, your feature import is complete.

    Jobs animation

  13. Turn on the appropriate Active Scenario layer to display your imported features.

Import a single feature into a scenario layer or a study area

GeoPlanner allows you to import a single feature by clicking it to display a pop-up window. The pop-up window in GeoPlanner includes an Import option for feature layers. Use this tool to import a single feature into a scenario layer or study area by completing these steps:

  1. In the Explore or Evaluate segments, click a feature that you want to import into a scenario or study area.
  2. Scroll to the bottom of the pop-up window and click Import.
    Import in pop-up window
  3. Click the Layer drop-down arrow and choose StudyArea to import the feature as a study area in the active project and name it. To import the feature into a scenario design layer, click the name of the scenario.
  4. Click Import.