topic Re: QOL improvements for construct polygons modify tool in ArcGIS Pro Questions

QOL improvements for construct polygons modify tool

jbcypreste — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 18:09:58 GMT

I'm always using Construct polygons tool on modify since it's quick and more seamless than having to do append or the daunting copy-paste process. But as interesting as it is, it still lacks functionality?

For example, why does it explode the source feature? If I'm copying a multipart feature from one layer to another, I want it to remain a multipart, not be exploded in the process.

And also, why does it fill the gaps on the source features by creating a new feature? Same thing, why would I want it to fill the gaps that aren't part of anything in the first place?

Perhaps I'm misusing the construct polygons as a copy-paste tool? Because it would be really cool to have one like that, even though I feel like construct polygons gets 90% of the job done.

Re: QOL improvements for construct polygons modify tool

Scott_Harris — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 12:52:12 GMT

Hi @jbcypreste

The Construct Polygons tool creates a polygon feature for each closed boundary formed by selected lines and/or polygon features (both can be inputs). A common use case: you have a closed loop of lines that you want to convert into a polygon. I wouldn't recommend Construct Polygons as an alternative to Paste Special.

Re: QOL improvements for construct polygons modify tool

jbcypreste — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 20:05:12 GMT

This sounds like a very niche use for construct polygons, I think it would benefit more if the copy/paste options were integrated into it. Paste special is okay but there are too many steps (specially when attributes/fields aren't relevant) and slow when dealing with large geometries.