1. Chapter 13
Editing and Topology

2. Outline Topology rules Complex polygon topology
Combining and buffering feature
Stream digitizing

3. Topology rules
(1) Adjacent polygons must share a coincident boundary that is exactly the same for both. There are no gaps or overlaps between adjacent polygons.
gap
overlap

4. Topology rules
(2) Lines should always end on other lines. Failure of two lines to meet is called a dangle.
Undershoots occur when one line is not quite long enough to meet the other.
Overshoots occur when one line crosses too far over the other.
undershoot
overshoot
Dangles
Correct topology

5. Improper intersection
Topology rules
(3) Lines that intersect should always each have a node (endpoint) at the intersection. Lines crossing without nodes are termed improper intersections.
Node
No node
Improper intersection
(2 lines)
Proper intersection
(4 lines)

6. Topology rules
(4) Nodes should exist only where three or more lines intersect. A node where only two lines meet is called a pseudonode.
Pseuodonode
Correct topology

7. Topology rules
(5) Lines or polygon boundaries should not cross over themselves and form loops.
Loops
Correct topology

8. Topology rules
(6) There should not be duplicate copies of any points, lines, or polygons.

9. Topology problem severity
Undetectable
Errors don’t show up in maps and don’t impede analysis.
Minor annoyance
Errors show up when zoomed in or detract from maps.
Analysis stoppers
Errors prevent analysis functions from working correctly, such as stopping flow in a utility network.
Errors complicate spatial queries because relationships aren’t correct.
Legal issues and liabilities
Parcel boundaries overlap and ownership uncertain.

10. Exceptions
Sometimes topological “errors” reflect actual real-world situations
A dead-end street is necessarily a dangle.
All roads end at the boundary of the data set.
highway overpass does not actually intersect the interstate.
Such situations are termed exceptions and do not need to be fixed.

11. Logical consistency
The fundamental question of topology is how well the features mimic the relationships in the real world.
If they don’t reflect the real world and can be fixed, they should be.
If they do reflect the real world and/or are not avoidable, they are exceptions.

12. Maintaining logical consistency
Spaghetti models
Spaghetti models don’t store topology.
Includes shapefiles and geodatabase feature classes.
No tools for testing logical consistency.
Simple tools for creating consistent features
Snapping
Auto Complete Polygon tool / Cut Polygons tool
Map topology for editing shared nodes and edges
User takes complete responsibility for creating correct features while editing.

13. Maintaining logical consistency
Topological models
Store topology and allow setting of rules governing topology within and between layers.
Have tools for testing logical consistency and identifying errors
Advanced tools for correcting errors.
Users can fix errors generated by poor editing techniques.
Includes ArcInfo coverages and geodatabase feature datasets.
Requires ArcEditor license.
Examples of rules in a topology

14. Complex Polygon Topology
Challenging digitizing
Method 1. Divide and Conquer
Start be creating the square outside boundary.
Then use the Cut Polygons tool to carve out the rest.
Method 2. Add Territory
Use Create New for the first polygon 1, and Auto Complete for most of the others.

15. Challenging digitizing
Close off and do 4,6 separately; then merge.
Do right after 7b.
Learn by experience not to get painted into a corner. Some common tricks are shown.
Attach 3 to 2 before doing 5.
Do after 8b; use clip to remove overlap.

16. Combining and buffering features Merge features
Combines features and attributes.
Removes common boundary if adjacent.
Pieces may be adjacent or disjoint.
Choose which feature is the target—its attributes will be assigned to the merged feature. Source feature attributes will be eliminated.

17. Union
Similar to merge
Creates a new feature, leaving originals unchanged
Attributes are ignored

18. Intersect Find common area between features. Creates a new feature
Attributes are ignored.
The Intersect command must be added to the Editor menu using Customize.

19. Buffering Buffer points lines or polygons.
Target layer determines output type (line or poly).
Specify distance in map units.

20. Stream digitizing
Usually, the user enters each vertex with a click of the cursor.
In stream digitizing, the program enters a point automatically every time the cursor moves a specified distance.

21. Point-to-point advantages
Provides the best control, especially with a mouse.
Not easy to smoothly follow a line with a mouse.
Less fixing of spurious vertices later.
More efficient data storage
Use fewer vertices on straight portions, more vertices on curves.
Best shape capture for fewest vertices.

22. Streaming advantages
Can be faster for data sets with many smooth curves
Unless you have to fix deviations.
Maintains consistent feature resolution.
Deviations from source may need to be fixed using Modify Feature
Tends to over-collect vertices and increase the size of the data files.
Choice of stream tolerance is critical.

23. Stream tolerance
100 m
Prior to streaming, the user sets the minimum distance between vertices (stream tolerance).
As the cursor moves, a point is added when the distance is covered.
A tolerance that is too small collects too many vertices and enlarges the file.
A tolerance that is too large cannot adequately capture the features.
1000 m
1500 m

24. References Price, M. (2013). Mastering ArcGIS (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill
Price, M. (2013). Mastering ArcGIS (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill. Mastering ArcGIS, 6/e Instructor Edition Chapter 13: PowerPoint Notes and Figures