ArcMap

Smooth Line

Summary

Smooths sharp angles in lines to improve aesthetic or cartographic quality.

Illustration

Smooth Line illustration

Usage

  • There are two smoothing methods available:

    • The Polynomial Approximation with Exponential Kernel (PAEK) method (PAEK in Python) smooths lines based on a smoothing tolerance. Each smoothed line may have more vertices than its source line. The Smoothing Tolerance parameter controls the length of a "moving" path used in calculating the new vertices. The shorter the length, the more detail that will be preserved and the longer the processing time.
    • The Bezier interpolation method (BEZIER_INTERPOLATION in Python) smooths lines without using a tolerance by creating approximated Bezier curves to match the input lines.

  • Use the Input barrier layers parameter to identify features that must not be crossed by smoothed lines. Barrier features can be points, lines, or polygons.

  • Processing large datasets may exceed memory limitations. In such cases, consider processing input data by partition by identifying a relevant polygon feature class in the Cartographic Partitions environment setting. Portions of the data, defined by partition boundaries, will be processed sequentially. The resulting feature class will be seamless and consistent at partition edges. See Generalizing large datasets using partitionsfor more information.

  • The output line feature class is topologically correct. Any topological errors in the input data are flagged in the output line feature class. The output feature class includes two additional fields: InLine_FID and SmoLnFlag that contain the input feature IDs and topological errors of the input, respectively. A SmoLnFlag value of 1 indicates a topological error is present; 0 (zero) indicates that no errors are present.

Syntax

SmoothLine_cartography (in_features, out_feature_class, algorithm, tolerance, {endpoint_option}, {error_option}, {in_barriers})
ParameterExplanationData Type
in_features

The line features to be smoothed.

Feature Layer
out_feature_class

The output feature class to be created.

Feature Class
algorithm

Specifies the smoothing algorithm.

  • PAEK —Acronym for Polynomial Approximation with Exponential Kernel. It calculates a smoothed line that will not pass through the input line vertices. This is the default.
  • BEZIER_INTERPOLATION —Fits Bezier curves between vertices. The resulting lines pass through the vertices of the input lines. This algorithm does not require a tolerance. Bezier curves will be approximated in the output.
String
tolerance

Sets a tolerance used by the PAEK algorithm. A tolerance must be specified, and it must be greater than zero. You can choose a preferred unit; the default is the feature unit. You must enter a 0 as a placeholder when using the BEZIER_INTERPOLATION smoothing algorithm.

Linear Unit
endpoint_option
(Optional)

This is a legacy parameter that is no longer used. It was formerly used to specify whether endpoints of closed lines would be preserved. This parameter is still included in the tool's syntax for compatibility in scripts and models but is hidden from the tool's dialog box.

Specifies whether to preserve the endpoints of closed lines. This option works with the PAEK algorithm only.

  • FIXED_CLOSED_ENDPOINT —Preserves the endpoint of a closed line. This is the default.
  • NO_FIXED —Smooths through the endpoint of a closed line.
Boolean
error_option
(Optional)

This is a legacy parameter that is no longer used. It was formerly used to specify how topological errors, possibly introduced during processing, were handled. This parameter is still included in the tool's syntax for compatibility in scripts and models but is hidden from the tool's dialog box.

Specifies how topological errors (possibly introduced in the process, such as line crossing) will be handled.

  • NO_CHECK —Do not check for topological errors. This is the default.
  • FLAG_ERRORS —Flag topological errors if any are found.
String
in_barriers
[in_barriers,...]
(Optional)

Inputs containing features that will act as barriers for smoothing. The resulting smoothed lines will not touch or cross barrier features. For example, when smoothing contour lines, spot height features input as barriers ensure that the smoothed contour lines will not be smooth across these points. The output will not violate the elevation as described by measured spot heights.

Feature Layer

Code sample

SmoothLine example (Python window)

The following Python window script demonstrates how to use the SmoothLine tool in immediate mode.

import arcpy
import arcpy.cartography as CA
arcpy.env.workspace = "C:/data"
CA.SmoothLine("contours.shp", "C:/output/output.gdb/smoothed_contours", "PAEK", 100)
SmoothLine example 2 (stand-alone script)

The following stand-alone script demonstrates how to use the SmoothLine tool.

# Name: SmoothLine_Example2.py
# Description: Simplify and then Smooth coastlines

# Import system modules
import arcpy
import arcpy.cartography as CA

# Set environment settings
arcpy.env.workspace = "C:/data/Portland.gdb/Hydrography"

# Set local variables
inCoastlineFeatures = "coastlines"
barriers = "C:/data/Portland.gdb/Structures/buildings"
simplifiedFeatures = "C:/data/PortlandOutput.gdb/coastlines_simplified"
smoothedFeatures = "C:/data/PortlandOutput.gdb/coastlines_smoothed"

# Simplify coastlines.
CA.SimplifyLine(inCoastlineFeatures, simplifiedFeatures, "POINT_REMOVE", 50, 
                "RESOLVE_ERRORS", "KEEP_COLLAPSED_POINTS", "CHECK", barriers)

# Smooth coastlines.
CA.SmoothLine(simplifiedFeatures, smoothedFeatures, "PAEK", 100, "", 
              "FLAG_ERRORS", barriers)

Environments

Licensing information

  • ArcGIS Desktop Basic: No
  • ArcGIS Desktop Standard: Yes
  • ArcGIS Desktop Advanced: Yes

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