ArcMap

TIN Compare

Summary

Compares two TINs and returns the comparison results.

Usage

  • This tool returns messages showing the comparison result. By default, it will stop executing after encountering the first miscompare. To report all differences, check on the Continue Comparison parameter.

  • TIN Compare can report differences with geometry, TIN node and triangle tags, and spatial reference.

  • The Output Compare File will contain all similarities and differences between the Input Base TIN and the Input Test TIN. This file is a comma-delimited text file which can be viewed and used as a table in ArcGIS. For example, this table can be queried to obtain all the ObjectID values for all the rows that are different.

  • When using this tool in Python, you can get the status of this tool using result.getOutput(1). The value will be 'true' when no differences are found and 'false' when differences are detected.

    Learn more about using tools in Python

Syntax

TINCompare(in_base_tin, in_test_tin, {compare_type}, {continue_compare}, {out_compare_file})
ParameterExplanationData Type
in_base_tin

The Input Base Tin is compared with the Input Test Tin. Input Base Tin refers to data that you have declared valid. This base data has the correct geometry, tag values (if any), and spatial reference.

TIN Layer
in_test_tin

The Input Test Tin is compared against the Input Base Tin.

TIN Layer
compare_type
(Optional)

The comparison type.

  • ALL —This is the default.
  • PROPERTIES_ONLY —Refers to both geometry and TIN tag values, if any, that are assigned to nodes and triangles.
  • SPATIAL_REFERENCE_ONLY —Coordinate system information.
String
continue_compare
(Optional)

Indicates whether to compare all properties after encountering the first mismatch.

  • NO_CONTINUE_COMPARE —Stop after encountering the first mismatch. This is the default.
  • CONTINUE_COMPARE —Compare other properties after encountering the first mismatch.
Boolean
out_compare_file
(Optional)

The name and path of the text file which will contain the comparison results.

File

Derived Output

NameExplanationData Type
compare_status

The compare status will be 'true' when no differences are found and 'false' when differences are detected.

Boolean

Code sample

TINCompare example 1 (Python window)

The following Python window script demonstrates how to use the TINCompare function in immediate mode.

import arcpy
arcpy.TINCompare_management(r'c:\Workspace\basetin', r'c:\Workspace\newtin', 
                            'ALL', 'CONTINUE_COMPARE', 
                            r'c:\Workspace\tincompare.txt')
TINCompare example 2 (stand-alone script)

Example of how to use the TINCompare tool in a stand-alone script.

# Description: Compare two TINs and return comparison result.

# import system modules 
import arcpy

# Set local variables
base_tin= "C:/Workspace/basetin"
test_tin= "C:/Workspace/newtin"
compare_type = "ALL"
continue_compare = "CONTINUE_COMPARE"
compare_file = "C:/Workspace/tincompare.txt"

compare_result = arcpy.TINCompare_management(base_tin, test_tin, compare_type, 
                                             continue_compare, compare_file)
print(compare_result)
print(arcpy.GetMessages())

Environments

This tool does not use any geoprocessing environments.

Licensing information

  • Basic: Yes
  • Standard: Yes
  • Advanced: Yes

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