Draw features

Drawing tools are available on the editing toolbar when using Create features, Reshape, or Split to draw line and polygon shapes.

The following drawing tools are available:

• Line is used to create straight line segments. This is the default.
• Right angle is used to create straight line segments at 90-degree angles between vertices. To close the shape and autocomplete the last two segments, press P on your keyboard.
• Freehand is used to create free-form shapes following the movement of the pointer.

Use the drawing tools

Complete the following steps to use the drawing tools:

1. On the editing toolbar, enable Create features, Reshape, or Split.

   Note:

   You must select a feature before enabling Reshape or Split.

   The editing toolbar updates to show the drawing tools. The default drawing tool is Line .

2. Choose a different drawing tool if necessary.

   Tip:

   You can switch between drawing tools as you draw.

3. To add the first vertex, do one of the following:
   • Click the map to place the vertex.
   • Press C on your keyboard to open the Longitude and Latitude editing constraints and type the coordinates of the first vertex.
4. Place the remaining vertices, using the editing constraints as necessary.

   If you add a vertex in the incorrect location, click Undo to remove it. If you accidentally remove a vertex, click Redo to re-add it. You can also use the shortcuts Ctrl+Z and Ctrl+Y on Windows or Command+Z and Command+Y on Mac for undo and redo, respectively.

Editing constraints

Editing constraints are used to input exact values when creating or editing features. The editing constraints can be updated from a tooltip or individually.

Note:

Editing constraints are available when using the drawing tools or when creating point or multipoint features.

The following table summarizes the editing constraints available when using the drawing tools:

Editing constraint	Shortcut	Direction mode	Description
Deflection	E or I	Deflection	The angle in degrees, measured from the previously drawn segment. A deflection value of 0 continues the segment in a straight line. Positive values are measured in a clockwise direction. Negative values are measured in a counterclockwise direction.
Direction	A or I	Absolute	The angle in degree, measured using the coordinate system of the map. A direction value of 0 creates a line directed due north. Positive values are measured in a clockwise direction. Negative values are measured in a counterclockwise direction.
Distance	D	Deflection or Absolute	The length of the line segment in feet or meters, depending on your user settings.
Longitude and Latitude	C	Not applicable	The coordinates of the vertex in decimal degrees.
Z	Only available from the tooltip	Not applicable	The z-value of the vertex. This constraint is only available for z-aware layers when creating features.

Apply editing constraints from a tooltip

Depending on your configuration and type of features you are drawing, the tooltips display the latitude and longitude coordinates, distance from the last vertex, the deflection or direction, and the z-value. The tooltip can be used to apply an editing constraint for one or more of these values.

Note:

Z is only available when editing a z-aware dataset.

Complete the following steps to update the editing constraints from a tooltip:

1. Complete the steps to start editing using Create features, Reshape, or Split and choose a drawing tool.
2. Turn on tooltips using one of the following options if necessary:
   • On the general toolbar, click Snapping option and turn on Enable tooltips.
   • Use the T shortcut on your keyboard.

   Tooltips show the deflection and distance values while drawing. The tooltips must be enabled before you can use them to apply editing constraints.

3. Click the map to place the starting point.
4. Press Tab on your keyboard.

   The Distance value on the tooltip becomes editable. The Deflection value is editable if you have placed two or more vertices.

5. Click Direction mode to update the direction mode if necessary. The following options are available:
   • Deflection —The direction is determined using a deflection angle measured from the previous segment. This is the default.
   • Absolute —The direction is an absolute angle based on the coordinate system of the map.

   Note:

   If the direction mode is already set to Absolute, the button appears using the Absolute button rather than the Deflection button .

6. Click Lock constraint next to the value you want to constrain.

   The editing constraint is locked.

7. Click the text box and type a value for the editing constraint.
8. Click the text box and type a value for another editing constraint if necessary.

   Note:

   Pressing Enter on your keyboard will apply the change and return the tooltip to view only. To keep the tooltip open, click your mouse outside of the text box rather than pressing Enter.

9. Click the map to add a vertex.

   The vertex is added and the constraints are unlocked.

10. Repeat the previous four steps to add another vertex using editing constraints if necessary.
11. Press Esc or click the back button to finish editing the constraints.

Apply individual editing constraints

Editing constraints can also be applied when tooltips are turned off and for values, like coordinates, that are not always available on a tooltip.

Complete the following steps to update an individual editing constraint:

1. Complete the steps to start editing using Create features, Reshape, or Split and choose a drawing tool.
2. Do one of the following:
   • Click the map to place the starting point.
   • Press C on your keyboard to open the Longitude and Latitude constraints, and skip to step 4.
3. Use one of the shortcuts from the table to open a text box for the corresponding editing constraint. For example, press D to edit the Distance constraint.

   A text box for the editing constraint appears.

4. Click Lock constraint next to the value you want to constrain.

   The editing constraint is locked.

5. Click the text box and type a value for the editing constraint.

   If you used the I or C shortcut, two text boxes are available. Click the second text box and type a value for the constraint if necessary.

6. Press Enter on your keyboard to apply the constraint.
7. Repeat steps 3 to 6 to apply additional editing constraints if necessary.
8. Click the map to add a vertex.