Help

Convert Polygons

Available with Production Mapping license.

Summary

Deletes polygon features that are below a minimum size.

Illustration

Convert Polygons functionality

Usage

  • A warning is raised if the input features are not in a projected coordinate system. This tool relies on linear distance units, which will create unexpected results in an unprojected coordinate system. It is strongly suggested that you run this tool on data in a projected coordinate system to ensure valid results. An error is raised and the tool will not process if the coordinate system is missing or unknown.

  • This tool is used in situations where topology exists between feature classes. An example is when you have a topology rule that lakes and vegetation should not overlap and a lake feature needs to be removed to accommodate the rule.

  • If one compare feature layer is specified, features that are below the minimum size are deleted from the input polygon feature class and merged with the compare features.

  • When multiple compare feature layers are provided, the input feature is converted to the feature class that shares the longest boundary with the input feature. For instance, if a feature shares longer common boundaries with feature layer A and a shorter boundary with feature layer B, the feature will be merged with feature class A.

  • If this tool is run in an edit session in ArcMap, you can stop the edit session without saving changes to restore features that have been deleted.

Syntax

ConvertPolygons(Input_Polygon_Features, Minimum_Size, Compare_Features)
ParameterExplanationData Type
Input_Polygon_Features

The layer that contains polygons to be deleted.

Feature Layer
Minimum_Size

Polygons smaller than this will be deleted.

Areal unit
Compare_Features
[Compare_Features,...]

The polygon features to which the input features are compared. If the input feature is smaller than the minimum size, it becomes part of the input features.

Feature Layer

Code sample

ConvertPolygons example (stand-alone script)

The following stand-alone sample script demonstrates how to use Convert Polygons.

# Name: ConvertPolygonExample.py
# Description: Deletes polygons below a specified minimum size
# Author: Esri
# Date: July 2013

# Import arcpy module
import arcpy

# Check out Production Mapping license
arcpy.CheckOutExtension("Foundation")

# Set environment
arcpy.env.workspace="c:/Data/LocalGovernment.gdb"


# Define variables
inPolygons = "ReferenceData/FacilitySite"
inPolylyr="Facility"
where="FCODE='Park'"
size = '3000 SquareFeet'
compareFeatures = "ReferenceData/BuildingFootprint"

# Create feature layer for input features
arcpy.MakeFeatureLayer_management(inPolygons,inPolylyr,where)

# Compare the workspaces
arcpy.ConvertPolygons_production(inPolylyr,size,compareFeatures)

# Check in Production Mapping license
arcpy.CheckInExtension("Foundation")

Environments

Licensing information

  • ArcGIS Desktop Basic: No
  • ArcGIS Desktop Standard: Requires Production Mapping
  • ArcGIS Desktop Advanced: Requires Production Mapping

Related topics