ArcMap

Copying parallel line features

Available with 3D Analyst license.

Use the 3D Editor Copy Parallel command on selected 2D or 3D line features to create copies at specified distances. The Copy Parallel command's functionality is well suited for the primary use cases listed below when using the 3D editing environment in ArcGlobe and ArcScene:

Use cases:

  • Updating a transportation network with one-way sections, such as escalators: In the graphic below, a simple scenario using a line depicts an "up" escalator copied left to create the matching "down" escalator. The same method can be applied for multiple line segments, such as a staircase for many floors.

    Copy Parallel used to create new 3D features at specified distances, such as an escalator set

  • Updating a terrain dataset to include "flat" roads, made from 3D road centerlines: In the graphic below, a road centerline is copied parallel on both sides, creating the road edge. If you remove the centerline, it simulates the look of a flat road.

    Copy Parallel used to created a "flat" road using the road centerline as the starting point

  • It can also be used for other examples such as cable lines—power or ski lifts—that follow an elevation surface with or without an offset, and you need to add another one parallel to it. The graphic below shows how a single line mapped for a ski hill can be used to generate the parallel lines for a chairlift up and down the hill.

    Copy Parallel for 3D lines used to create a realistic 3D view

When creating parallel copies, you can choose to create the new lines to the left, to the right, or on both sides of the original. The new lines will be created at the same base heights as the original selected line(s). You can also customize the corner styles and other properties.

  1. Click Edit Placement Edit Placement on the 3D Editor toolbar.
  2. Click to select the line you want to copy.
    3. Press and hold SHIFT to select multiple line segments.
  3. Click the 3D Editor menu and click Copy Parallel.
  4. Choose the target in which the new feature will be created.
    • If you have feature templates for the layers in your 3D view, click the Template button and click the template in which to create the new feature. You can also double-click the preview of the template to choose a different template.
    • If you do not have feature templates, click the layer in which to create the new feature.
  5. Type the distance in map units from the original feature where you want to copy the line.
  6. Click the Side drop-down arrow and choose whether you want the feature to be copied on the left, right, or both sides.
  7. Optionally, check the boxes to treat the selection as a single line, create a new feature for each selected line, and specify the behavior of intersecting loops. For more information about these settings, see About making a parallel copy of a line.
  8. Click OK.
    9. A parallel copy of the line is created at the specified distance. If your starting line feature or segment is a 3D line and has different z-values at the vertices, the newly copied feature retains the same height values.