Clipping of Utility Network Workflow

Question

Hi everyone,

Our team is attempting to perform a direct spatial clip of a Utility Network stored in an enterprise geodatabase (SDE). The goal is to remove all Utility Network features that lie outside of our endorsed area by selecting those records and deleting them directly from the SDE.

We tested this approach using a Python script to clip the Utility Network in place, but encountered errors when processing Devices, Lines, and Junctions. We are interested in understanding whether there is a supported or reliable method to directly clip all Utility Network feature classes within the SDE.

As a workaround, we have proposed the following workflow for the Utility Network (devices, lines, and junctions) using ArcGIS Pro 3.5:

* Extract subnetwork controller information

* Disable subnetwork controllers

* Disable network topology

* Perform clipping operations via REST services

* Re-enable network topology

* Validate network topology

* Re-enable subnetwork controllers

We would appreciate any feedback or recommendations on refining this approach or guidance on whether direct clipping within the SDE is feasible. Given the inherent complexity and interdependencies of the Utility Network, we are particularly interested in whether this workflow is sufficiently comprehensive and whether it preserves the structural and topological integrity of the network after the clipping operation.

Any insights, best practices, or potential risks to be aware of would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

RobertKrisher · Answer

If you are doing this to try and facilitate editing, you should look at using offline work areas.

SylviaLam · Answer

Thanks for the suggestion Robert! Just wanted to clarify that when you say we can try extracting the data using an extent, does this mean extracting the UN to a fgdb and for us to perform the clipping on the UN in an fgdb?

Additionally, if the clipping is not done in the SDE, do you have any advice on the best method to bring back the clipped UN to the sde? Is the apply asset package method the best way to do so?

RobertKrisher · Answer

Clipping the SDE after loading data and enabling the topology is going to be quite difficult. You'd be better off extracting the data using an extent than loading that data into a new geodatabase. This will preserve the connectivity and subnetworks for that area.

You can use the create offline work areas tool in enterprise, the download map button in ArcGIS Pro, or if you're very particular about how you extract the data you can create a runtime app do to the extract.