idea Create temporary vector layers in ArcGIS Pro Ideas

Create temporary vector layers

FranzLeonardo — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 18:59:14 GMT

I would like ArcGIS Pro to have the option/button to create temporary layers (points, lines or polygons). It would be very handy when we don't want to create a permanent file if we only want to draw something temporarily.
P.S. The ‘New Temporary Scratch Layer’ button in QGIS if it was in ArcGIS would be perfect.

Re: Create temporary vector layers

SSWoodward — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 22:28:40 GMT

Thanks for this idea. Do you ever use the memory workspace?

Creating feature classes and tables in the memory workspace will save you from writing them to disk.

Re: Create temporary vector layers

FranzLeonardo — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 22:40:29 GMT

@SSWoodward thank you, it is also useful, but as an end-user you always prefer things that are simpler and at hand, without the need to go through a few steps.

Re: Create temporary vector layers

AlfredBaldenweck — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 13:41:22 GMT

Yeah, I was actually thinking about this recently-- I tried using one of those geoprocessing tools where you can draw on the map to like, set the extent or something, and I was dismayed to find that I got saddled with what should have just been a throwaway featureclass clogging up my default file gdb.

Re: Create temporary vector layers

KoryKramer — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 15:30:19 GMT

@FranzLeonardo You could add a graphics layer to create temporary points, lines, polygons... This doesn't create features in a database, and when you're done, if you need to, just remove the graphics layer.

Re: Create temporary vector layers

FranzLeonardo — Mon, 05 Aug 2024 15:37:21 GMT

@KoryKramer but it's not the same, there you can't calculate geometries and you don't have the potential of vector layers, even temporarily, for example in QGIS I love that option, especially when I teach or lecture.