Edit feature segments

The Edit Vertices tool moves, adds, trims, and deletes the vertices that form a polyline or polygon feature. When you select a feature, segment editing commands are available when you right-click feature geometry. This tool is available in the Modify Features pane.

Select and move a segment

To select and move a segment, click and drag it with the pointer. To select multiple segments, press and hold Ctrl+Shift and click each segment.

When Stretch Proportionately is on, all segments are scaled proportionately relative to the distance you move a segment. This effectively preserves the general shape of a feature. To stretch only the segments connected to the segment you move, click this setting on the toolbar and turn it off.

The default setting is configured in project settings for editing.

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 Modify .
3. Click Edit Vertices in the Modify Features pane.

   To find the tool, expand Reshape, or type Vertices in the Search text box.

4. Click the Change the selection tool in the tool pane and select a polyline or polygon feature.

   If you select more than one feature, reselect the feature. Alternatively, click the feature in the pane selection view to flash it in the map, right-click and click Only Select This .

   Note:

   If Map Topology is enabled, click the Features tab to show the feature selection tool.

   The Features and Edges tabs are not required to complete this workflow. These tabs are available only when map topology or a geodatabase topology is enabled so that you can switch between editing feature vertices and topological edges and nodes.

   

   The selected feature appears highlighted in the map with vertex handles. By default, project settings symbolize the first vertex green and the last vertex red.

5. Hover the pointer over the segment.
6. When the pointer changes to the segment cursor , drag the segment.

   To select multiple segments and move them in unison, press and hold Ctrl+Shift and click each segment.

7. To finish the feature, right-click and click Finish , or press the F2 key.

Change the geometry of a segment

To change the geometry of a segment, right-click the segment, click Change Segment, and choose the geometry type. The locations of both endpoints are preserved.

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 Modify .
3. Click Edit Vertices in the Modify Features pane.

   To find the tool, expand Reshape, or type Vertices in the Search text box.

4. Click the Change the selection tool in the tool pane and select a polyline or polygon feature.

   If you select more than one feature, reselect the feature. Alternatively, click the feature in the pane selection view to flash it in the map, right-click and click Only Select This .

   Note:

   If Map Topology is enabled, click the Features tab to show the feature selection tool.

   The Features and Edges tabs are not required to complete this workflow. These tabs are available only when map topology or a geodatabase topology is enabled so that you can switch between editing feature vertices and topological edges and nodes.

   

   The selected feature appears highlighted in the map with vertex handles. By default, project settings symbolize the first vertex green and the last vertex red.

5. Hover the pointer over the segment.
6. When the pointer changes to the segment cursor , right-click and click one of the following commands:
   • Change Segment > To Line
   • Change Segment > To Circular Arc
   • Change Segment > To Bézier Curve

   Note:

   The segment type currently assigned to the segment is unavailable.

7. To finish the feature, right-click and click Finish , or press the F2 key.

Change the radius of an arc

To change the radius of an arc, select and drag the arc segment or press the R key and type the radius.

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 Modify .
3. Click Edit Vertices in the Modify Features pane.

   To find the tool, expand Reshape, or type Vertices in the Search text box.

4. Click the Change the selection tool in the tool pane and select a polyline or polygon feature.

   If you select more than one feature, reselect the feature. Alternatively, click the feature in the pane selection view to flash it in the map, right-click and click Only Select This .

   Note:

   If Map Topology is enabled, click the Features tab to show the feature selection tool.

   The Features and Edges tabs are not required to complete this workflow. These tabs are available only when map topology or a geodatabase topology is enabled so that you can switch between editing feature vertices and topological edges and nodes.

   

   The selected feature appears highlighted in the map with vertex handles. By default, project settings symbolize the first vertex green and the last vertex red.

5. Hover the pointer over the segment.
6. When the pointer changes to the segment cursor , drag the arc segment.

   Alternatively, press the R key, type the radius, and press Enter.

7. To finish the feature, right-click and click Finish , or press the F2 key.

Reshape a Bézier curve

To reshape a Bézier curve, drag a control handle that extends outward from the curve. To drag a handle that is coincident with an existing vertex, press and hold the Ctrl key.

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 Modify .
3. Click Edit Vertices in the Modify Features pane.

   To find the tool, expand Reshape, or type Vertices in the Search text box.

4. Click the Change the selection tool in the tool pane and select a polyline or polygon feature.

   If you select more than one feature, reselect the feature. Alternatively, click the feature in the pane selection view to flash it in the map, right-click and click Only Select This .

   Note:

   If Map Topology is enabled, click the Features tab to show the feature selection tool.

   The Features and Edges tabs are not required to complete this workflow. These tabs are available only when map topology or a geodatabase topology is enabled so that you can switch between editing feature vertices and topological edges and nodes.

   

   The selected feature appears highlighted in the map with vertex handles. By default, project settings symbolize the first vertex green and the last vertex red.

5. Hover the pointer over a Bézier handle. until the pointer changes to the vertex cursor .
6. When the pointer changes to the directional cursor , drag the Bézier handle.

   If a handle is coincident with a vertex, press and hold the Ctrl key while hovering over the control handle. When a square appears, drag the control handle.

   The curved linear transitions reshape between the first and last vertex.

7. To finish the feature, right-click and click Finish , or press the F2 key.

Keyboard shortcuts

Edit vertices

Keyboard shortcuts for the Edit Vertices tool

Keyboard shortcut	Action	Comment
T and hover	Show vertices within the snapping tolerance.	Flash a square at vertices that are within the current snapping tolerance of the pointer.
Shift and click vertices	Select multiple vertices.	Drag multiple segments in unison between the selected vertices.
Shift and click segments	Select all vertices between the clicked segments.	Drag multiple segments in unison between the selected vertices.
Shift+Ctrl and click a selected vertex	Unselect a vertex.	Unselect one of many selected vertices.
A and click	Add a vertex .	Create a vertex where you click a segment.
D and click	Delete a vertex .	Delete the clicked vertex.
H and drag	Edit the elevation.	Move a z-enabled vertex vertically and preserve its x,y coordinates. Hover over a control handle until the pointer becomes a vertex and drag the vertex. This shortcut is available in 3D scenes.
Ctrl and drag	Move a Bézier curve.	Move a Bézier curve and preserve its shape. Hover over a curve until the pointer becomes a segment, and drag the curve.
Ctrl and drag	Move a Bézier handle.	Move a Bézier control handle that can't otherwise be selected when it is coincident with another vertex. Hover over a control handle until the pointer becomes a vertex and drag the handle.
Ctrl+H	Move the z-value to the pointer.	Move the z-value for the selected vertex to the elevation of the pointer. The x- and y-values are preserved. This is available only when stereoscopic mode is enabled.
Ctrl+G	Move the pointer z-value.	Move the pointer z-value to the elevation of the selected vertex. This is available only when stereoscopic mode is enabled.