Dividing channel features

The Divide Channel tool allows you to split an existing polygon feature into a specified number of sections. Each section maintains the attribute information from the feature you first selected. For example, a typical use of the tool would be to split an existing dredged channel into multiple channel features (the tool operates the same with any polygon feature).

1. Start ArcMap.
2. On the main menu, click Customize > Toolbars > Production Editing.
3. On the main menu, click Customize > Toolbars > Nautical.
4. Click the Production Start Editing button on the Production Editing toolbar.

   Note:

   The Manage Features and Create Attributes, Update Attributes, or Metadata Attributes windows automatically appear when you start an edit session using the Production Start Editing tool.

   Tip:

   If the Create Attributes, Update Attributes, or Metadata Attributes window does not appear when you start an edit session, click the Show/Hide Attributes button on the Manage Features window.

5. Select the polygon feature you want to divide into multiple parts.
6. On the Nautical toolbar, click Nautical > Divide Channel.

   If you want to specify a value other than the default value of four channels, continue to step 7. If you accept the default value, continue to step 13.

7. Press the D key.

   The Divide Channel Settings dialog box appears.

8. Type the number of channels to use in the Divisions text box.

   The valid range of channel divisions is 2–20.

9. Type the number of search pixels to use in the Search (pixels) text box.

   The valid range of pixels is 1–100.

10. Choose the divide method.

    If you choose the Thiessen method, the Resolution slide bar is activated.

11. If you choose Thiessen method, move the Resolution slide bar to increase or decrease the number of buffers around the line.
12. Click Continue.
13. Define the anchor point by clicking one of the selected feature's highlighted corners.

    Note:

    The channel needs to be defined in a clockwise direction; otherwise, the channel is automatically reordered clockwise from the anchor point.

14. Repeat step 13 for the second, third, and last points.

    This is an example of selected corners:

    
15. Click once more on the selected feature to continue.

    Note:

    You can also press the F2 key.

    The Divide Channel message box appears.

    

16. Click Yes to start the dividing process.

The selected feature is divided into the number of channels specified.

Tip:

You can press the ESC key or click another tool to terminate the process.