issues using divide on a polygon

Question

I was using the Divide tool on an irregularly shaped polygon.  I would use equal area and one at a time would divide the feature.  Then I would divide the remainder again.  After about 4 times, the tool doesn't seem to want to divide anymore even though there is still plenty to split off.  I get an error that says Divide Features failed, but with no explanation at all. I couldn't care less what the direction is, I just want to divide the polygon. On a related note, I often have the same issue when using the Split tool.  What i really need is a way to divide a polygon into multiple parts and be able to list what the size should be for each.  Is there such a tool?

JohnBranum · Answer

Hi Josh.  Same problem for me, but even Subdivide Polygon failed, most likely because my polygon boundaries are organic and very erratic.  My SOLUTION was to Simplify Polygons first, then the Subdivide worked, and with a little trial-and-error on the "simplification tolerance" and the Divide "direction edge", i was able to Divide as well.

PolyDivideFail.jpg

JoshWhite · Answer

The related table concept is a good one.  I hadn't really got that far into the project yet.

JoshWhite · Answer

I looked at this one, but the problem is you have to export to another feature class.  It may be my only choice though.

Actually, I tried this and the only option is to make all of the areas equal.  I need them to be different sizes.