ArcMap

Precision for Derived Coverages (Environment setting)

Tools that honor the Precision for Derived Coverages environment create output coverages whose precision is determined from the input coverages based on this setting.

Precision for Derived Coverages is also known as the processing rule. Derived coverages are those derived from tools that accept input data to derive the output coverage, for example, coverages created by running the Coverage toolbox's Buffer tool.

Usage notes

  • If the precision is set to HIGHEST or LOWEST, tools that take only one input coverage will produce output coverages in the same precision as the input coverage.
  • If you copy a double precision coverage to a single precision coverage, you must run Clean to rebuild polygon topology on the single precision output coverage.
  • The Import From Interchange File tool is not affected by precision. A coverage created by Import From Interchange File is in the same precision as it was prior to using Export To Interchange File.

Dialog syntax

  • HIGHEST—The coordinate precision of the output coverage will be the same precision as the input coverage that has the highest precision. This is the default.
  • LOWEST—The coordinate precision of the output coverage will be the same precision as the input coverage that has the lowest precision.
  • SINGLE—The coordinate precision of the output coverage will always be single precision, regardless of the precision of the input coverage.
  • DOUBLE—The coordinate precision of the output coverage will always be double precision, regardless of the precision of the input coverage.

Scripting syntax

arcpy.env.derivedPrecision = precision_option

precision_optionExplanation

HIGHEST

The coordinate precision of the output coverage will be the same precision as the input coverage that has the highest precision. This is the default.

LOWEST

The coordinate precision of the output coverage will be the same precision as the input coverage that has the lowest precision.

SINGLE

The coordinate precision of the output coverage will always be single precision, regardless of the precision of the input coverage.

DOUBLE

The coordinate precision of the output coverage will always be double precision, regardless of the precision of the input coverage.

derivedPrecision syntax
import arcpy

# Set the derivedPrecision environment to LOWEST
arcpy.derivedPrecision = "LOWEST"

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