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Alternative way of creating flat buffers using standard ArcView License

AndrewMayes

Hi,
I'm currently undertaking some analysis in ArcView that requires the use of 50m buffers along a line. However, the line itself is broken into sections and I need to create flat buffer at the end of each section (as opposed to the standard round buffers that are used within the ArcView licence) to avoid double counting within the overlapping circular ends. Given I dont have an ArcInfo Licence, is there an easy alternative approach I could use to get the same resulting buffer?
An obvious step would be to create individual rectangular polygons for each section, but given that the line lengths of each sections are likely to change over the course of the project as the design is refined, I was hopeful of finding a way to do this whereby I could easily re run the the process if if changes were made.
Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated. I've attached a simple diagram of the issue I have to explain it better. The red line indicates the ideabuffer break as opposed to the circular ends which obviously create overlaps.
Thanks very much in advance.....
Andy

Buffers1.JPG

sf_bathy.gif

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achapapkowski

Do the lines share some common IDs so they can be identified as the line features being buffered?

Assuming that is true, make a feature selection based on the line's IDs. Then using an insert cursor construct a polygon feature around the line and ensure that the radius in increased 50 meters.

One way to get the points is to use the Trig for Right Handed Triangles Rules (SOCATOA) you can then get the points around the line.
See : http://id.mind.net/~zona/mmts/trigonometryRealms/introduction/rightTriangle/trigRightTriangle.html
if you forget how to do that.

AndrewMayes

Thanks for the posting back.
I'm afraid I'm not quite sure what you mean by an insert cursor. I've only recently begun using Arc again after a 5 year absence so it's taking me a while to get to grips with.....
Any chance you could possibly expand a bit?
Thanks again, much appreciated

DarshaHardy

Have a look at the 'create station lines' tool in ET Geowizards.

If you can create station lines at the end of each of your lines, you could use them to split a single buffer into square ended pieces.

JakubSisak

Have a look at the 'create station lines' tool in ET Geowizards.

If you can create station lines at the end of each of your lines, you could use them to split a single buffer into square ended pieces.

I can't find this tool in ET Geowizards...

JakubSisak

Hi,
I'm currently undertaking some analysis in ArcView that requires the use of 50m buffers along a line. However, the line itself is broken into sections and I need to create flat buffer at the end of each section (as opposed to the standard round buffers that are used within the ArcView licence) to avoid double counting within the overlapping circular ends. Given I dont have an ArcInfo Licence, is there an easy alternative approach I could use to get the same resulting buffer?
An obvious step would be to create individual rectangular polygons for each section, but given that the line lengths of each sections are likely to change over the course of the project as the design is refined, I was hopeful of finding a way to do this whereby I could easily re run the the process if if changes were made.
Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated. I've attached a simple diagram of the issue I have to explain it better. The red line indicates the ideabuffer break as opposed to the circular ends which obviously create overlaps.
Thanks very much in advance.....
Andy

Have you found a solution?

JakubSisak

Do the lines share some common IDs so they can be identified as the line features being buffered?

Assuming that is true, make a feature selection based on the line's IDs. Then using an insert cursor construct a polygon feature around the line and ensure that the radius in increased 50 meters.

One way to get the points is to use the Trig for Right Handed Triangles Rules (SOCATOA) you can then get the points around the line.
See : http://id.mind.net/~zona/mmts/trigonometryRealms/introduction/rightTriangle/trigRightTriangle.html
if you forget how to do that.

Can you please elaborate? How do you construct a polygon that is squared at the input line end? Can you provide the code?

JakubSisak

Here is a solution using IConstructCurve3:ConstructOffset
see attached

If anyone is interested i also completed additional script that extends the line end by the buffer value then constructs the flat-end line buffer.

Construct Flat End Line Buffer.txt.zip

AndrewHansford

Hi there,

I have copied your script to VB Editior in ArcGIS but can not get it to work.

I need to create sqaure buffers for a river feature (line feautre). I was hoping to use your code. could you please expand on your instructions for use of this code please?

regards

Andrew

JakubSisak

Attaching an updated version which includes the option to extend end-nodes by the buffer value

Also attached is a result of this function; 3 lines buffered by 20 and 100m. One image shows the result when extended parameter is true the other one is with the extended parameter set to false

To run this script:
Open VBA Editor
Create a new Module
Paste code into the module
Create a custom button and open the click procedure
write a call statement to Create_Flat_End_Line_Buffer and include parameters
run debugger and add missing references if needed

Select one or more polyline features in the Map document
Start Editing and set a target layer to your destination polyline layer

Parameters:
first parameter is the buffer size, second parameter is either 2 for mitered or 4 for beveled, last parameter either true to extend line or false not to extend
(Extending means that the end node of the line being buffered is extended outward in the direction of the last segment prior to buffering. This will create a square buffer around the end node rather then ending the buffer at the end node)

Limitations
Polyline input only
Polyline output only (resulting buffer is a polyline)
Result of one operation is 4 features: left site, right side and 1 line on each end (merge to close)
For other limitations consult ArcObjects help: IConstructCurve3:ConstructOffset

Construct Flat End Line Buffer.txt.zip

line buffer (not extended).jpg

Extended line buffer.jpg

JackZHANG

Thank you jakubsisak! The code works like a magic!

FrederiqueLemieux

I would like to do this but using Python script, can anyone point me in the right direction?

I've just started learning Python having a trouble figuring out how to do this.

Cheers

JakubSisak

I would like to do this but using Python script, can anyone point me in the right direction?

I've just started learning Python having a trouble figuring out how to do this.

Cheers

The function I wrote requires ArcObjects and works with VBA, Vb .Net. Python scripting is geared towards geoprocessing. I am quite certain this cannot be done with Python.

PaulLugowski

The function I wrote requires ArcObjects and works with VBA, Vb .Net. Python scripting is geared towards geoprocessing. I am quite certain this cannot be done with Python.

Hi
Is it possible to rewrite the script for ArcGIS 10 Add-in? When you try to use the script in Visual Studio 10 jumps a lot of mistakes.
Thanks very much
Paul

JakubSisak

Hi
Is it possible to rewrite the script for ArcGIS 10 Add-in? When you try to use the script in Visual Studio 10 jumps a lot of mistakes.
Thanks very much
Paul

Yeah, I have an add-in but have not posted it. If you'd like I can email it to you.

JakubSisak

Hi
Is it possible to rewrite the script for ArcGIS 10 Add-in? When you try to use the script in Visual Studio 10 jumps a lot of mistakes.
Thanks very much
Paul

the ArcGIS 10 Add-in version is now available for download

PaulLugowski

the ArcGIS 10 Add-in version is now available for download

Hi
Thanks for the add-on provides access but there was a small problem because I can not use this add-on due to error:

--------------------------- LineBuffer_FlatEnds ---------------------------
Unable to set current layer EDITOR. Make sure the target layer is selected teplate!
--------------------------- OK ---------------------------

Can I ask you some brief instructions for using this tool?

JakubSisak

Hi
Thanks for the add-on provides access but there was a small problem because I can not use this add-on due to error:

--------------------------- LineBuffer_FlatEnds ---------------------------
Unable to set current layer EDITOR. Make sure the target layer is selected teplate!
--------------------------- OK ---------------------------

Can I ask you some brief instructions for using this tool?

Hi @pollacko,
I added instructions: http://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=54ad502f798c4cc780a1132ad44670a9

Most tools I made (especially those that are stand-alone like this one) follow the same basic principles: must be editing, the source features that are being processed must be selected and the layer in which the features are contained must be selected in the TOC. You must also select the the destination layer template by clicking it in the "Create Features" window. (This is what was referred to as the target layer in legacy ArcGIS versions.) These actions "tell" the Add-In where the features you want to buffer are and where they need to be stored.

I tested the tool when writing the instructions and all worked well. (ArcGIS 10, SP4) not supported in any other version.

PaulLugowski

Hi @pollacko,
I added instructions: http://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=54ad502f798c4cc780a1132ad44670a9
I tested the tool when writing the instructions and all worked well. (ArcGIS 10, SP4) not supported in any other version.

Hi

When I set all the instructions I get the message:
--------------------------- LineBuffer_FlatEnds ---------------------------
As a result of calls to the COM component has returned HRESULT E_FAIL error.
--------------------------- OK ---------------------------

or

--------------------------- LineBuffer_FlatEnds ---------------------------
Unspecified error. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x80004005 (E_FAIL))
--------------------------- OK ---------------------------

I have Arcgis 10 sp4.

jonasengstrom

Hi @pollacko,
I added instructions: http://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=54ad502f798c4cc780a1132ad44670a9

Most tools I made (especially those that are stand-alone like this one) follow the same basic principles: must be editing, the source features that are being processed must be selected and the layer in which the features are contained must be selected in the TOC. You must also select the the destination layer template by clicking it in the "Create Features" window. (This is what was referred to as the target layer in legacy ArcGIS versions.) These actions "tell" the Add-In where the features you want to buffer are and where they need to be stored.

I tested the tool when writing the instructions and all worked well. (ArcGIS 10, SP4) not supported in any other version.

Hi!

I get the error "As a result of calls to the COM component has returned HRESULT E_FAIL error."

Any idea what could cause that?

Cheers jonas

GeorgeKankia

I also get that error. sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. can't find a damn logic behind it.

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