idea Merge + dissolve / Union + dissolve in ArcGIS Pro Ideas

Merge + dissolve / Union + dissolve

IlkaIllers1 — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 17:50:43 GMT

Very often, I want to merge + dissolve (or union + dissolve) several layers. It would be so convenient to do this in one step - either have the option in the merge or union tool, or have a new tool that dissolves several layers at once.

Re: Merge + dissolve / Union + dissolve

leahmaps — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 19:25:25 GMT

Could just doing a batch of each step (merge/union and dissolve) do what you want? https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/analysis/geoprocessing/basics/batch-geoprocessing.htm

Re: Merge + dissolve / Union + dissolve

IlkaIllers1 — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 21:33:13 GMT

I know how to get around it, but this is a common two-step-process that I think would be great to be able to do in one step.

Re: Merge + dissolve / Union + dissolve

DuncanHornby — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 14:27:38 GMT

I think the nature of the tools are quite different, merge is simply bringing datasets together, dissolve or union is a geometric operation. So to combine these disparate operations into a single tool is undoubtedly problematic. So chaining the tools as you do now is the most robust solution. You can do this in model builder and expose it as a tool. You then get the experience of a single tool interface but behind the scenes its running the tools in sequence. Suggest you explore model builder.

Re: Merge + dissolve / Union + dissolve

BarryNorthey — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 18:22:36 GMT

As noted elsewhere, the ability to blend GP tools into a single Model tool in ModelBuilder is a powerful option. ModelBuilder allows iteration that might meet your needs. I have also found that building a Task can be very useful blending GP Tools and Commands, etc. Both take a while to master but might save time in the long run.

Re: Merge + dissolve / Union + dissolve

IlkaIllers1 — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 15:23:30 GMT

Thank you for your answers. I am well acquainted with the Model Builder, but I prefer to work with arcpy instead. I know there is a way to speed it up, I just thought it might be a neat feature for people who start out and don't use either yet.

I understand that merge + dissolve would be difficult since they are different operations. How about the dissolve + union - if they are both geometric operations, would it be easier to combine those two into a single tool?