An overview of the Generalization toolset

Contains tools that simplify or refine features for display at smaller scales.

Tools in the Generalization toolset

	Description
Aggregate Points	Creates polygon features around clusters of proximate point features.
Aggregate Polygons	Combines polygons within a specified distance of each other into new polygons.
Collapse Dual Lines To Centerline	Derives centerlines from dual-line (or double-line) features, such as road casings, based on specified width tolerances.
Collapse Road Detail	Collapses small, open configurations of road segments that interrupt the general trend of a road network, such as traffic circles, for example, and replaces them with a simplified depiction.
Delineate Built-Up Areas	Creates polygons to represent built-up areas by delineating densely clustered arrangements of buildings on small-scale maps.
Create Cartographic Partitions	Creates a mesh of polygon features that cover the input feature class where each polygon encloses no more than a specified number of input features, determined by the density and distribution of the input features.
Merge Divided Roads	Generates single-line road features in place of matched pairs of divided road lanes.
Simplify Building	Simplifies the boundary or footprint of building polygons while maintaining their essential shape and size.
Simplify Line	Simplifies lines by removing relatively extraneous vertices while preserving essential shape.
Simplify Polygon	Simplifies polygon outlines by removing relatively extraneous vertices while preserving essential shape.
Smooth Line	Smooths sharp angles in lines to improve aesthetic or cartographic quality.
Smooth Polygon	Smooths sharp angles in polygon outlines to improve aesthetic or cartographic quality.
Thin Road Network	Generates a simplified road network that retains connectivity and general character for display at a smaller scale.