Create a dimension feature class

Dimension features are stored in dimension feature classes in geodatabases.

License:

You can create dimension feature classes with ArcGIS Pro Standard and ArcGIS Pro Advanced licenses only.

When creating a dimension feature class, there is at least one dimension style available. You can specify the properties of the style, select the style from the dimension style gallery, or use the Create Feature Class wizard to create a default style.

Once you've created a dimension feature class, you can create additional styles in the Feature Class Properties pane.

To create a dimension feature class, complete the following steps:

1. Create a dimension feature class in the Catalog view or the Catalog pane by doing one of the following:
   • In the Catalog view, double-click a geodatabase, and click New > Feature Class in the Create group on the Catalog ribbon to open the Create Feature Class wizard.
   • In the Catalog pane, right-click the geodatabase or feature dataset where you want to create the dimension feature class, and click New > Feature Class to open the Create Feature Class wizard.
2. In the Create Feature Class wizard, on the Define page, provide a name for the feature class in the Name text box.

   To create an alias for this feature class, provide one in the Alias text box.

3. From the Feature Class Type drop-down list, set the type of features that will be stored in this feature class to Dimension, and click Next.
4. Optionally, on the Fields page, add fields to the feature class by doing the following:
   1. Click Click here to add a new field in the last row.
   2. Provide a name in the Field Name column.
   3. Set a data type in the Data Type column.
   4. Click Next.

   By default, there are several fields that are added to a dimension feature class. These fields are required and cannot be deleted. To use fields from another feature class, click Import.

   Learn more about creating, modifying, and deleting fields

5. On the Spatial Reference page, set the spatial reference of the new feature class.

   The Current XY box is highlighted. Under XY Coordinate Systems Available, browse to the coordinate system you want to use. You can search or filter to locate a specific coordinate system. You can also base the coordinate system for the new feature class on a layer in the current map, create a custom coordinate system, or import a coordinate system from another feature class.

   To learn more about specifying a coordinate system, see Specify a coordinate system.

   If you're creating a dimension feature class in a feature dataset, the coordinate system is automatically set.

6. When you're finished, click Next.
7. On the Tolerance page, provide an x,y tolerance.

   The x,y tolerance is calculated based on the coordinate system specified. The default tolerance is sufficient in most cases.

   If you make changes to the x,y, tolerance and want to revert to the default value, click the Reset To Default button.

8. When you're finished, click Next.

   On the Resolution page, the Accept default resolution and domain extent (recommended) check box is checked by default. The default resolution and extents are sufficient in most situations.

9. If you know that your data needs the default resolution and extents changed, uncheck the Accept default resolution and domain extent (recommended) check box and edit the x,y, resolution value.

   Learn more about the properties of a spatial reference

10. Click Next.
11. Optionally, on the Storage Configuration page, customize how the feature class will be stored as follows:
    • To specify a storage configuration for the new feature class, click Use Configuration Keyword, and choose the appropriate configuration keyword from the drop-down menu.
    • Otherwise, Default is sufficient.

    Learn more about configuration keywords

12. When you're finished, click Next.
13. On the Dimension Properties page, set the dimension-specific properties for the feature class by doing the following:
    1. Click the Reference scale drop-down menu and choose a scale or provide a scale value.
    2. Choose a Map units value for the dimension.

       The units should match the map coordinate system.

    The scale should be equal to the scale at which the dimension feature class will normally display.

    If you are creating a dimension feature class in a feature dataset, the map units are set automatically. The units match those of the feature dataset's coordinate system. If the feature dataset coordinate system is unknown, the default value of meters is used.

    Caution:

    Changing the reference scale of a dimension feature class is an intensive operation that requires an update of every feature's bounding box geometry. A reference scale change results in a change of dimension feature size, which can cause overlapping dimensions. Extreme care should be taken when modifying this property after a dimension feature class has been created.
14. Click the Modify button to edit the default dimension style, or click the Add dimension style button to add a new style. Repeat the substeps below until you've specified all the dimension styles needed.
    1. Click the Gallery tab, and select an existing style to add to the dimension feature class.
    2. Set the properties for the dimension style on the Properties tab.
15. Optionally, click the Add dimension style drop-down menu, and click Import dimension style. Repeat the substeps below until all the dimension styles that need to be imported have been specified.
    1. Specify a geodatabase that contains dimension feature classes.
    2. Select the dimension feature class to import from.
    3. Select one or more dimension styles, and click Import.
16. Click Finish to create the dimension feature class.
17. To stop the creation of a dimension feature class and discard your changes at any time, click the close button at the top of the dialog box to close the Create Feature Class wizard.