An overview of the Generalization toolset

The Generalization toolset contains tools that simplify and refine features for display at smaller scales.

Tools in the Generalization toolset

Tool	Description
Aggregate Points	Creates polygon features around clusters of proximate point features.
Aggregate Polygons	Combines polygons that are within a specified distance of each other into new polygons.
Collapse Hydro Polygon	Collapses or partially collapses hydro polygons to a centerline based on a collapse width.
Collapse Road Detail	Collapses small, open configurations of road segments that interrupt the general trend of a road network, such as traffic circles, and replaces them with a simplified depiction.
Create Cartographic Partitions	Creates a mesh of polygon features that cover the input feature class in which each output polygon encloses no more than a specified number of input features or input vertices. as determined by the density and distribution of the input features.
Delineate Built-Up Areas	Creates polygons to represent built-up areas by delineating densely clustered arrangements of buildings on small-scale maps.
Merge Divided Roads	Generates single-line road features in place of matched pairs of divided road lanes.
Simplify Building	Simplifies the boundary or footprint of building polygons while maintaining their essential shape and size.
Simplify Line	Simplifies lines by removing relatively extraneous vertices while preserving essential shape.
Simplify Polygon	Simplifies polygon features by removing relatively extraneous vertices while preserving essential shape.
Simplify Shared Edges	Simplifies the edges of input features while maintaining the topological relationship with edges shared with other features.
Smooth Line	Smooths sharp angles in lines to improve aesthetic or cartographic quality.
Smooth Polygon	Smooths sharp angles in polygon outlines to improve aesthetic or cartographic quality.
Smooth Shared Edges	Smooths the edges of the input features while maintaining the topological relationship with edges shared with other features.
Thin Road Network	Generates a simplified road network that retains connectivity and general character for display at a smaller scale.

Related toolboxes

The following toolboxes also contain tools that perform simplification, aggregation, and other generalization processes:

• Spatial Analyst toolbox
• Data Management toolbox
• GeoAnalytics Desktop toolbox