Create rectangular features

The Rectangle tool creates planar rectangular or square features using the pointer or typed values. This tool is available in the Create Features pane with line and polygon feature templates.

When you use this tool, consider the following:

• Vertices for 3D z-aware features are assigned z-values based on your current elevation settings.
• The feature is automatically finished when its location, direction, and dimensions are fully defined.
• Click the Horizontal / Grid Aligned button to constrain a rectangle orthogonal to the map's coordinates system or the grid for editing if it is turned on. This setting is available on the construction toolbar and on the context menu when you right-click the map.

Note:

If the active map is set to a geographic coordinate system, your specified distances and directions are measured using the North Azimuth (0 degrees) system and may produce unexpected alignment or accuracy errors.

To avoid these types of errors, the best practice is to assign the active map a projected coordinate system that matches the coordinate system of the layer or layers you are editing.

To create features that account for the earth's ellipsoid surface, use the Construct Geodetic tool or consider using the Two-Point line tool with code-value domains to specify direction types in an attribute field named Azimuth Type.

Draw or type the length and width

By default, the Rectangle tool creates a rectangle with three pointer clicks. After clicking two locations to specify a corner and a direction, you can right-click the map and type length and width values.

To draw a rectangle with the pointer, complete the following steps:

1. Add your data and configure settings for editing.

   Confirm 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 polyline or polygon feature template.
4. Click the Rectangle 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.
   Rectangle	Check Modify existing polygons to prevent overlapping to automatically clip existing polygons on the same layer if they overlap your new feature.

5. Click the map to create the first corner.

   To type a coordinate location, right-click the map and click Absolute X,Y,Z .

6. Move the pointer and click the map to specify the direction of the feature.

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

7. Move the pointer to specify the length and width, and click the map.

   To type a coordinate location, right-click the map and click Absolute X,Y,Z .

   To type values for the length or the width, right-click and click the corresponding command described in the following table:

   Button	Description
   Square	Click and turn this setting on to constrain the feature to a square. A value typed for the length or width is applied to the remaining side. This button is also available on the construction toolbar.
   Length	Type the length value. If this dimension fully defines the feature, the feature is automatically finished.
   Width	Type the width value. If this dimension fully defines the feature, the feature is automatically finished.

Type the direction and size

The Direction/Size dialog box creates a rectangle from values you type for direction, length, and width. To change direction or distance units, click a parameter drop-down arrow.

To create a rectangle with typed values for direction and size, complete the following steps:

1. Add your data and configure settings for editing.

   Confirm 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 polyline or polygon feature template.
4. Click the Rectangle 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.
   Rectangle	Check Modify existing polygons to prevent overlapping to automatically clip existing polygons on the same layer if they overlap your new feature.

5. Click the map to create the first corner.

   To type a coordinate location, right-click the map and click Absolute X,Y,Z .

6. Right-click, click Direction/Size , choose the units, type the direction and distance values, and press Enter.

   

Keyboard shortcuts

The keyboard shortcuts described in the following table provide an alternative way to execute commands for this tool.

Keyboard shortcuts for the Rectangle construction tool

Keyboard shortcut	Action	Comment
Tab	Turn Horizontal / Grid Aligned on or off.	When turned on, constrains the feature vertical or horizontal at 90-degree angles.
A	Specify a direction .	Open the Direction dialog box.
L	Specify a length .	Open the Length dialog box.
W	Specify a width .	Open the Width dialog box.
F6	Specify absolute X,Y,Z .	Open the Absolute X,Y,Z dialog box.
Shift and drag	Make the shape a square.	Constrain the shape to a square. Create the first point of the rectangle, press the keyboard shortcut, and drag.
Shift	Turn Square on or off.	When turned on, constrains the shape to a square.