Create polygon features

In the Create Features pane, feature construction tools for polygon feature layers create singlepart and multipart polygon features. Segment construction tools specific to the active tool are available on the construction toolbar and mini toolbar above the context menu when you right-click the map.

When you use a polygon construction tool, consider the following:

• Vertices for 3D z-aware features are assigned z-values based on your current elevation settings.
• Click the Active template button to override attributes values, set a construction tool to clip overlapping polygons, or other tool settings.
• To resume editing an existing feature, or to add a part, use the Continue Feature tool .

Create multisegmented polygon features

The Polygon tool creates multisegmented polygon features. By default, the Line segment tool the active segment tool.

To create a polygon feature, complete the following steps:

1. Add your data and configure settings for editing.

   Confirm that the feature layer you are editing is editable, the coordinate system assigned to the active map is suitable for the type of edits you're performing, and snapping is configured to help you work efficiently and accurately.

2. On the ribbon, click the Edit tab. In the Features group, click Create .
3. In the Create Features pane, click a polygon feature template.

   To find a feature template containing a specific word or phrase, click the Search box and enter your search criteria. Search is not case-sensitive.

4. Click the Polygon tool .

   To override default attribute values or change optional tool settings, click the Active Template button and click the following tabs:

   Attributes	Type values in the attribute fields to override the source default values.
   Polygon	Check the Modify existing polygons to prevent overlapping check box to automatically clip existing polygons on the same layer if they overlap your new feature.

5. Click the map to create the first vertex.

   To enter a coordinate value, right-click the map and click Absolute X,Y,Z .

6. Move the pointer and click the map to create the first segment. Repeat this step until the feature is fully developed.

   To create other segment types or trace existing features, click the corresponding segment construction tool on the construction toolbar.

   

   When you create segments, consider the following:

   • Right-click the map to type a numeric value for direction, distance, or elevation, override active snap settings and snap to other features, or to apply a geometric constraint.
   • To modify unfinished geometry as you draw the feature, click the Vertex Editing button on the construction toolbar and turn on vertex editing.
7. Click Finish , or press F2 to finish the sketch and create the feature.

   Alternatively, right-click and click Finish Part to continue creating parts for a multipart polygon feature.

Create regular polygon features

The Regular Polygon tool creates equilateral polygons with a specified number of sides using a center point and a radial distance.

To create a regular polygon, complete the following steps:

1. Add your data and configure settings for editing.

   Confirm that the feature layer you are editing is editable, the coordinate system assigned to the active map is suitable for the type of edits you're performing, and snapping is configured to help you work efficiently and accurately.

2. On the ribbon, click the Edit tab. In the Features group, click Create .
3. In the Create Features pane, click a polygon feature template.

   To find a feature template containing a specific word or phrase, click the Search box and enter your search criteria. Search is not case-sensitive.

4. Click the Regular Polygon tool .

   To override default attribute values or change optional tool settings, click the Active Template button and click the following tabs:

   Attributes	Type values in the attribute fields to override the source default values.
   Regular Polygon	Click the Sides box and type the number of sides, or click the arrow and increment or decrement the number. Check the Modify existing polygons to prevent overlapping check box to automatically clip existing polygons on the same layer if they overlap your new feature.

5. Click the map to create the center point.

   To enter a coordinate value, right-click the map and click Absolute X,Y,Z .

6. Move the pointer and click the map to specify a distance.

   To enter a distance value, right-click the map and click Distance .

7. Move the pointer and click the map to specify the orientation angle and automatically finish the feature.

   To enter a direction value, right-click the map and click Direction .

8. When all measurements are fully defined, the feature is automatically finished.

   Press Esc to exit the tool.

Create freehand features

The Freehand tool creates free-form segments following the movement of the pointer.

When you use this tool, consider the following:

• Snapping is automatically turned off until you finish the feature.
• The construction toolbar is not available with this tool.

To create a freehand polygon, complete the following steps:

1. Add your data and configure settings for editing.

   Confirm that the feature layer you are editing is editable, and the coordinate system assigned to the active map is suitable for the type of edits you're performing.

2. On the ribbon, click the Edit tab. In the Features group, click Create .
3. In the Create Features pane, click a polygon feature template.

   To find a feature template containing a specific word or phrase, click the Search box and enter your search criteria. Search is not case-sensitive.

4. Click the Freehand tool .

   To override default attribute values or change optional tool settings, click the Active Template button and click the following tabs:

   Attributes	Type values in the attribute fields to override the source default values.
   Freehand	Check the Modify existing polygons to prevent overlapping check box to automatically clip existing polygons on the same layer if they overlap your new feature.

5. Click the map to create the first vertex.

   To enter a coordinate value, right-click the map and click Absolute X,Y,Z .

6. Move the pointer to create a freehand feature following the movement of the pointer.
7. Click the map to finish the feature.

   The segments are automatically converted to Bézier curves.