Summary
Simplifies the edges of input features while maintaining the topological relationship with edges shared with other features.
Illustration

Usage
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This tool modifies the Input Features and Shared Edge Features parameters. It does not produce new output.
Simplification is applied to all Input Features edges and only Shared Edge Features edges that share an edge with any Input Features edges. Shared Edge Features edges that do not share an edge with at least one Input Features edge are not simplified.
Syntax
SimplifySharedEdges_cartography (in_features, algorithm, tolerance, {shared_edge_features}, {minimum_area}, {in_barriers})
Parameter | Explanation | Data Type |
in_features [in_features,...] | The lines or polygons to be simplified. | Feature Layer |
algorithm | Specifies the simplification algorithm.
| String |
tolerance | Determines the degree of simplification. If a unit is not specified, the units of the input will be used.
| Linear Unit |
shared_edge_features [shared_edge_features,...] (Optional) | Line or polygon features that will be simplified along edges shared with input features. Other edges are not simplified. | Feature Layer |
minimum_area (Optional) | The minimum area for a polygon to be retained. The default value is zero, which will retain all polygons. A unit can be specified; if no unit is specified, the unit of the input will be used. This parameter is available only when at least one of the inputs is a polygon feature class. | Areal Unit |
in_barriers [in_barriers,...] (Optional) | Point, line, or polygon features that act as barriers for the simplification. The simplified features will not touch or cross barrier features. | Feature Layer |
Derived Output
Name | Explanation | Data Type |
out_feature_class | The smoothed input features. | Feature Layer |
out_shared_edge_feature_class | The shared edge features. | Feature Layer |
Code sample
The following Python window script demonstrates how to use the SimplifySharedEdges tool in immediate mode:
import arcpy
from arcpy import env
env.workspace = "C:/data/LandUse.gdb"
arcpy.SimplifySharedEdges_cartography
arcpy.SimplifySharedEdges_cartography("Water;Parks;", "POINT_REMOVE", "10 Meters", "Commercial;Highways;Buildings", "0 SquareMeters", None)
This stand-alone script shows an example of using the SimplifySharedEdges tool.
# Name: SimplifySharedEdges_standalone_script.py
# Description: Simplifies input features while maintaining topological relationships
# along shared edges. For features included as shared_edge_features (4th argument of
# SimplifySharedEdges_cartography()) only the edges that are shared with
# in_features (1st argument) are simplified.
# Author: ESRI
# Import system modules
import arcpy
from arcpy import env
# Set environment settings
env.workspace = "C:/data/LandUse.gdb"
# Set local variables
in_features = "Water;Parks"
algorithm = "POINT_REMOVE"
tolerance = "10 Meters"
shared_edge_features = "Commercial;Highways;Buildings"
minimum_area = "0 SquareMeters"
barriers = None
# Execute Simplify Shared Edges
arcpy.SimplifySharedEdges_cartography(in_features, algorithm, tolerance, shared_edge_features, minimum_area, barriers)
Environments
Licensing information
- Basic: No
- Standard: Yes
- Advanced: Yes