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Import Generalization Data (Topographic Production Tools)

Summary

Imports data from a production schema to a themed generalization database using generalization rules defined in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.

Note:

A product file installer is available for ArcGIS Topographic Mapping. The product files contain predefined generalization XLSM rule files, but the tool supports both XLSX and XLSM formats.

Learn more about product files

Usage

  • Geoprocessing models that contain logic for the generalization of data from one scale to a smaller scale are provided as part of the Topographic Mapping product files. These models are designed to use an optimized generalization database organized by data themes. The Generalization Rule File contains the logic for mapping production schema to a theme database that can be used by these models.

  • You can customize the generalization configuration using the spreadsheet without modifying the complex geoprocessing models that will perform the generalization.

  • It is recommended that you use an empty geodatabase as the target geodatabase. Feature classes or tables in the target geodatabase that match generalization rules will be deleted.

  • Features in your production schema may be used for multiple themes, so this tool should be run to import one theme of data at a time. It is important to ensure that once one theme of data has been generalized, the results of the generalization are converted back to the production schema before the next theme of data is imported.

    For example, roads can be generalized as part of the transportation theme and also used as barriers in the structure theme to ensure simplified buildings do not cross roads. If the transportation theme is generalized first, many local streets can be removed. Converting back to the production schema before creating the structure theme features ensures that the removed roads are not used as part of comparisons when simplifying buildings.

  • Generalized data can be converted back to the production schema using the Export Generalized Data tool.

Parameters

Label Explanation Data type

Input Geodatabase

The geodatabase containing data in a production schema.

Workspace

Target Geodatabase

The target geodatabase where the data optimized for generalization will be loaded.

Workspace

Generalization Rule File

The Excel file containing the generalization rules. This file defines features participating in the generalization process and determines the data that will be loaded and how it is organized. An example rule file is provided in the product file downloads for Topographic Mapping.

File

Data Theme

A theme that specifies the type of data to be generalized. Available themes are automatically populated from the Generalization Rule File parameter. The values provided in the example rule file are as follows:

  • TRANS—A data theme that groups features in a transportation network such as roads and railways.

  • STRUCTURE—A data theme that groups structural features such as buildings.

  • HYDRO—A data theme that groups water features such as lakes and rivers.

  • SOE—A skin of the earth data theme that groups polygon features that cover the entire surface of the earth with no holes or gaps. It can consist of water, vegetation, land, and artificial features.

  • GENERAL—A data theme that groups features other than those defined by another theme.

String

Derived output

Label Explanation Data type

Updated Geodatabase

The updated target geodatabase.

Workspace

Environments

This tool does not use any geoprocessing environments.

Licensing information

  • Basic: No
  • Standard: Requires Topographic Mapping
  • Advanced: Requires Topographic Mapping