topic Re: Differences between various distance and direction tools in ArcGIS Pro Questions

Differences between various distance and direction tools

Hemlock_Grove — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 12:43:22 GMT

Hi,

I'm wondering if someone would be able to give a quick rundown (or link to a resource) on the different ways lines/features can be drawn using distance and direction input.

As far as I know, there are at least 3 ways:

When drawing a line feature, right click and click 'distance/direction'
Use the 'Distance and Direction' tool from the insert tab
Create a Traverse (CoGo)

I usually hear of people using traverses to enter survey plans with bearings and distances (and I've used it as such), but I'm having a hard time understanding what functional differences there are between these methods. Are they all equally accurate, and just have different strengths and weaknesses in other ways?

For background context, I am usually using a survey plan to create accurate line features, but sometimes it will just be a few lines.

Re: Differences between various distance and direction tools

DanPatterson — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 14:18:00 GMT

since you have identified the keywords, I assume you have already seen the many links, but perhaps you missed

Geodesic versus planar distance—ArcGIS Pro | Documentation

If there is something specific that you are wondering about, then perhaps you could provide the links that you have already seen to narrow down the search

Re: Differences between various distance and direction tools

Hemlock_Grove — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 16:54:05 GMT

Thank you Dan, that link was helpful. Though I suppose I'm not sure what you are implying: that CoGo Traverse, Create Feature, and Insert Distance and Direction don't all use geodetic? If so, which ones do not?

I actually have not been that successful finding a lot of information about these different methods. I have seen the basic run downs:

https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/data/distance-direction/distance-and-direction-intro.htm

https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/editing/create-a-traverse.htm

https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/2.8/help/editing/specify-a-direction-and-distance.htm

The second link does not appear to contain the words 'geodetic' or 'planar' at all.

The third link mentions planar. So is that method planar measurement rather than geodetic?

What about differences between CoGo Traverse and Insert Distance and Direction?

I really appreciate the guidance.

Re: Differences between various distance and direction tools

DanPatterson — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 18:00:06 GMT

They all have their uses and they all are needed or not needed. As important is the distance or area over which one needs to make the measures and the accuracy needed. You are going to need geodesic calculations if you are going to the corner store for instance. If geodesic isn't mentioned, then it isn't used... or its help topic is wrong.