Shortcut Keys: Selecting Snapping Layers in ArcInfo 9.3

Question

Hello, I am wondering if anyone knows whether it's possible to create a shortcut key to select specific layers to snap to (vertex, edge or end point), inside the Arc Editor Snapping window in an edit session?

I do a lot of point and line feature editing and frequently have to click different layers to snap to. When you do this hundreds of times a day, a shortcut key to select a check box for a layer vertex or edge, rather than clicking it, would be very useful and would save time.  E.g. ctrl + s + p or something along these lines.  There are many shortcut keys that can be created for selecting individual tools or toolbars within Arc 9.3 but I don't believe there is a way to shortcut selecting of layers to snap to inside a snapping window.

Anything anyone can tell me would most helpful.

DavidCakalic · Answer

Thanks for the reply, Jeff.  I'll need to look into more macros/addons to do what I need, as you suggest; or perhaps look into (or pressure our R&D to) programming tools to do this.

I know the new snapping in ArcMap 10 is touted as better... but I'm not convinced. If I recall correctly (since I've switched to the Classic environment) the new snapping doesn't let you control the snapping settings per feature anymore... ie: if snap to vertices is turned on, it applies to ALL layers.

That just won't work for us... we need the more powerful snapping from the Classic environment (as complex as it may seem) but the best way to manage that complexity (IMO) is being able to save different configurations for easy recall.

If I were to rewrite the 9.3 snapping environment:*  I'd allow save/export/import presets capability
* Check-boxes at top to toggle ALL vertices or ALL edge snap (basically Arc10 snapping, yet still with power to turn off individual snaps?)
* Ability to group features in snapping environment (99 time out of 100, if I'm snapping to Paved Road edge, I also want to snap to Unpaved Road edge.)
* A 'Snap Radius' field in the window; save us from constantly going to Editor->Snap Options to change this... just have that power on the snap window which is likely left open anyway.
* and/or a drop-down box for snap-radius to let us quickly choose recently  used or saved values.

Overall, I don't begrudge the new snapping in Arc 10... I realize that it may actually benefit a large number of users; so I'm glad they left the old snapping environment in there, I just think they could have improved it with the additions listed above; none of which should be too technically difficult for the ESRI developers considering how complex other parts of this program are.

JeffSlauenwhite · Answer

Hello,

As far as I know there is no way to save presets on snapping and I completely agree the snapping environment in 9.3 is pretty much embarassing.  For all the additional functionality in Arcmap and ways to customize it, it was really left out in the snapping environment. 
I think there are a number of macros out there on some of the developer sites you can find that can improve it a little - such as the size of vertices during editing etc. 
In ArcInfo 10 they have made some greater improvements. Its much better using 10.
JeffI'm getting extremely frustrated with the snapping in ArcMap myself.

What I want is a way to set my snaps, then save them as a preset that can be used later.
We collect alot of features here (roads, hydro, vegetation, fences, walls, etc.)

I want to set a preset called "roads" for example, that will not snap to my vegetation, buildings, hydro, or other select features.  Another preset for vegetation which doesn't snap to roads... etc.  WHY can I not these settings so I can quickly return to them later by picking them from a drop down list?  WHY can I not share these settings with other users?

The snapping environment in ArcMap is embarassing, unless I'm missing something here.

If anyone knows of a way to do this, I'm very much interested in hearing it.

DavidCakalic · Answer

I'm getting extremely frustrated with the snapping in ArcMap myself.

What I want is a way to set my snaps, then save them as a preset that can be used later.
We collect alot of features here (roads, hydro, vegetation, fences, walls, etc.)

I want to set a preset called "roads" for example, that will not snap to my vegetation, buildings, hydro, or other select features.  Another preset for vegetation which doesn't snap to roads... etc.  WHY can I not these settings so I can quickly return to them later by picking them from a drop down list?  WHY can I not share these settings with other users?

The snapping environment in ArcMap is embarassing, unless I'm missing something here.

If anyone knows of a way to do this, I'm very much interested in hearing it.