In this topic
User interface
The editing environment in ArcGIS 10 desktop has been redesigned to provide a more simplified and streamlined workflow for users. The edit task, edit target, and sketch tool workflows have been supplemented by the introduction of templates, edit tools, construction tools, and shape constructors. The majority of changes and additions within the Editor assembly support these user experience changes. For information on converting your existing customizations, see Migrating desktop editing customizations to ArcGIS 10.
Templates
In prior versions, users worked with a target layer, a task, and a tool to perform an edit. Now users instead work with templates and tools to perform the same operations. For developers, the notion of the edit target, task, and tool still exist; the new template environment simply drives these functions. For more information, see Using feature templates.
Construction tools and shape constructors
Construction tools are used to create new features with a particular geometry type when working with templates. The Line and Polygon construction tools, for example, work in conjunction with the shape constructors to create line and polygon geometry. For more information, see Editor framework customizations.
Snapping
A new simplified snapping environment has been introduced at ArcGIS 10. This is available to ArcGIS Desktop and ArcGIS Engine developers and is not restricted to an edit session. If you need to implement snapping in your edit customizations, use this simplified application programming interface (API) rather than the editor snapping environment. For more information, see Working with the ArcGIS snapping environment.