About Drawing Cleanup

Drawing Cleanup actions can be used to detect map errors (for example, duplicate objects, undershoots, or zero length objects), simplify complex 2D maps, and to weed and supplement 3D polylines. Because Drawing Cleanup can alter your data, make a backup of your data before cleaning up a map.

For best results, run cleanup actions individually or with a minimum of other actions.

The following table shows examples of problems that Drawing Cleanup can correct.

Before Drawing Cleanup After Drawing Cleanup Description of Problem Cleanup Action
Duplicate objects Delete Duplicates
Short objects Erase Short Objects
Crossing objects Break Crossing Objects
Undershoots Extend Undershoots
Objects could be extended along their natural paths to intersect at a projected point Apparent Intersection
Node cluster Snap Clustered Nodes
Pseudo-nodes Dissolve Pseudo-Nodes
Dangles or overshoots Erase Dangling Objects
2D linear object simplification Simplify Objects
Zero-length objects Zero-Length Objects.
Too many or too few vertices in a 3D polyline Weed Polylines

Order of Cleanup Actions

The order of cleanup actions can produce different results. Specify the order by moving cleanup actions up or down in the list. The action at the top of the list is performed first.

Setting Cleanup Options

Set the options for each cleanup action individually. For more information, see the individual help topics about each cleanup action.

Cleaning for Topology

Some types of errors should be fixed before you create a topology. The following table indicates data errors that should be considered when you are creating a network or polygon topology. Node topologies do not usually require cleanup.

Error Network Topology Polygon Topology
Duplicates Must remove Must remove
Short Linear Objects Can remove Can remove
Crossing Linear Objects Check for validity. See To Create a Network Topology. Must remove
Undershoots Must remove Must remove
Node Cluster Must remove Must remove
Pseudo Nodes Can remove Can remove
Dangles or overshoots Check for validity. Can remove Must remove
Simplify Linear Objects Can apply Can apply
Zero-Length Objects Must remove Must remove

In addition, if you have closed polylines (polygons) that may be missing centroids, you should create centroids for them before using them in topology.

Notes