Summary
Computes the intersecting and overlapping segments of lines in 3D space.
Usage
The tool works on a pairwise basis. If more than two lines intersect, the number of output points will be the mathematical combination of the intersecting lines. For example, three intersecting lines will produce three output points—one for the first and second intersection, another for the first and third intersection, and another for the second and third intersection. Likewise, if four input lines intersect, six output points will be produced—one each for the first and second, the first and third, the first and fourth, the second and third, the second and fourth, and the third and fourth.
Input features must have a spatial index. Use the Add Spatial Index tool to create a new index (particularly for shapefiles) or rebuild an existing index if there is any doubt about it being correct.
If 2D lines are provided as input, all vertices are assumed to be at elevation zero.
When two lines with different z-values intersect because of the allowed vertical tolerance for detecting intersections, the output point will use the higher of the two elevations. Similarly, when two line segments with different z-values intersect, the output line feature will be based on the segments with the higher z-values.
Some output lines may consist of multiple parts due to two input lines with multiple, discontinuous overlapping sections or lines getting closer and farther apart in the z-direction.
When attributes are transferred to the output, the values placed into the first set of fields are from the first input line, and the values in the second set of fields are from the second input line. If two input line feature layers are specified, the first and second input lines are from the first and second input line feature layers, respectively. If only one input line feature layer is specified, the rule is the same, except that the columns appear to be repeated.
The output point features will include the following attribute fields:
- I3L_TYPE—A value of 0 indicates the point marks the end point of the overlapping line segment, whereas a value of 1 indicates the point is an intersection of two lines.
- I3L_GROUP—A unique value that identifies all points that share the same position in horizontal space.
- I3L_OID1—The feature ID of the first intersecting line feature.
- I3L_OID2—The feature ID of the second intersecting line feature.
- I3L_LINE1Z—The Z value of the intersection point on the first line.
- I3L_LINE2Z—The Z value of the intersection point on the second line.
- I3L_Z_DIFF—The difference in Z between the two input lines at the XY location of the intersection.
Syntax
arcpy.3d.Intersect3DLines(in_lines, {max_z_diff}, {join_attributes}, {out_point_fc}, {out_line_fc})| Parameter | Explanation | Data Type |
in_lines [in_lines,...] | The line features that will be evaluated for intersections. The input can consist of either one or two line feature layers or classes. If one input is specified, each feature will be compared with all other features in that feature class. No feature will be compared to itself. | Feature Layer |
max_z_diff (Optional) | The maximum vertical distance between line segments that intersect. | Linear Unit |
join_attributes (Optional) | Specifies which attributes from the input features will be transferred to the output feature class.
| String |
out_point_fc (Optional) | The output points representing the locations where the input lines intersect, including locations where overlapping line segments begin and end. | Feature Class |
out_line_fc (Optional) | The output lines representing the overlapping sections that exist between the input lines. | Feature Class |
Derived Output
| Name | Explanation | Data Type |
| out_intersection_count | The number of intersecting locations in the input lines. | Long |
Code sample
The following sample demonstrates the use of this tool in the Python window.
import arcpy
arcpy.env.workspace = 'C:/data'
arcpy.ddd.Intersect3DLines(['floor_centerlines.shp', 'stairs.shp'], '2 Meters',
'ONLY_FID', 'intersection_pts.shp')Environments
Licensing information
- Basic: Requires 3D Analyst or ArcGIS Location Referencing
- Standard: Requires 3D Analyst or ArcGIS Location Referencing
- Advanced: Requires 3D Analyst or ArcGIS Location Referencing