Create segments by streaming vertices

The Streaming tool creates segments with vertices at regular intervals as you move the pointer across a map. This tool is available in the Create Features pane with editing templates for line and polygon feature layers, and on the context menu when you right-click a map.

You can pause streaming by clicking the map and continue sketching with a different tool. Press F8 to resume streaming. Similarly, if you start sketching with another tool, you can press F8 to stream vertices and press F8 again to resume sketching with the original tool.

When you stream vertices, consider the following:

• The default tolerance of zero (0) creates overlapping vertices and is commonly used to sketch freeform shapes such as rivers or tree canopies. You can change this value on the Streaming Options dialog box.
• By default, currently enabled snapping settings are turned off and temporarily turned on with the spacebar until the sketch is finished. You can invert this setting and keep the current snapping settings enabled by default and use the spacebar to temporarily turn them off.
• To convert segments to Bezier curves, turn on the Smooth option.

For steps to use this tool in a stereo map, see Stream 3D lines in a stereo map.

Stream vertices

To create segments by streaming vertices, complete the following steps:

1. Open a map containing the feature layers you are editing or add the layers to the map.

   Tip:

   Before editing features, specify which layers can be edited, confirm that the coordinate system assigned to the active map is suitable for the type of edits you're performing, and enable the snap agents that allow you to work effectively.

   For a basic checklist of settings, see Configure settings for editing.

2. Click the ribbon Edit tab and click Create in the Features group.

   The Create Features pane appears.

3. Click a line or polygon feature template in the Create Features pane.

   To override attribute values, click the Active Template button .

   Tip:

   When using polygon templates, you can check the Modify existing polygons to prevent overlapping check box to automatically clip existing polygon features on the same layer and create coincident boundaries.

4. Click the Streaming tool .

   The construction toolbar appears in the current map.

5. Click the map to start streaming.
6. Move the pointer across the map to stream segments.

   Click the map or press F8 to pause and resume streaming.

   Press the Spacebar to temporarily turn on or turn off snapping, depending on the optional setting.

   Tip:

   To sketch other segment types, click the map or press F8 and click the tool on the construction toolbar. To resume streaming, press F8 or right-click, choose Streaming on the context menu, and click the map.

7. Click the map to stop streaming.
8. Click Finish or press the F2 key to create the segment.

Change streaming options

Streaming options are set before you start sketching. You can change the streaming tolerance, smooth segments with Bezier curves, group vertices into a single Undo step , and invert the default snap mode.

To change streaming options, complete the following steps:

1. Click a line or polygon feature template in the Create Features pane, and click the Streaming tool .
2. Right-click the map and choose Streaming Options or press O.

   The Streaming Options dialog box appears.

3. Click the Streaming tolerance text box, type a value and choose the units.

   The default tolerance is zero (0) and creates overlapping vertices.

4. Check or uncheck the Smooth check box.

   Checked	Create Bézier curves for segments when streaming vertices.
   Unchecked	Create straight segments when streaming vertices.

5. Check or uncheck the Use snapping settings check box.

   Checked	Use the current snapping settings by default and press the spacebar to temporarily turn them off until the sketch is finished.
   Unchecked	Turn off the current snapping settings by default and press the spacebar to temporarily use them until the sketch is finished.

6. Check or uncheck the Group vertices for Undo sketch operations check box.

   Checked	Group the specified number of vertices into a single Undo step. The default number is 50.
   Unchecked	Don't group vertices and Undo each vertex.

7. Click OK.

Keyboard shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts for this tool are described in the following table:

Create by streaming

Keyboard shortcuts for the Streaming construction tool

Keyboard shortcut	Action	Comment
O	View or change optional settings.	Open the Streaming options dialog box.
F8	Start or stop streaming.	Begin or stop streaming.
Spacebar	Temporarily turn on snapping.	By default, snapping is automatically turned off until the sketch is finished and temporarily turned on with the Spacebar. You can invert this setting and turn on snapping by default and use the Spacebar to temporarily turn it off.