topic Re: IFeatureLayer from IFeatureClass in ArcObjects SDK Questions

IFeatureLayer from IFeatureClass

ValeriaAndronaco — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:26:48 GMT

Hi Forum,

how can obtain a IFeatureLayer from a IFeatureClass?

I have a FeatureClass:

IFeatureClass pTargetFeatureClass;
pTargetFeatureClass = GetFeatureClassFromShapefileOnDisk("c:\\", "feature_name");

How can get the FeatureLayer from that?
The follow code I think that is incorrect

IFeatureLayer pTargetFeatureLayer = pTargetFeatureClass as IFeatureLayer;

How can I do it?
Can you suggest me? Please?

Re: IFeatureLayer from IFeatureClass

NeilClemmons — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 16:47:01 GMT

You can't. A feature layer and a feature class are two different things. A feature layer is a type of layer object that is displayed in a map. A feature class is a type of table with a geometry field. Feature layers use feature classes as data sources. You can create a new feature layer and set the feature class to be its data source but you can't get a feature layer reference directly from the feature class.

Re: IFeatureLayer from IFeatureClass

JeffreyHamblin — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:33:20 GMT

Like Neil wrote, you can't directly retrieve an IFeatureLayer from an IFeatureClass. And if you are adding a new layer, you do it the way he states.

However, if you are trying to get an existing layer from its feature class, you can iterate through the layers in a map and compare the source feature class of each feature layer looking for a match. Of course, be aware that a single feature class can be the source for more than one layer.

Re: IFeatureLayer from IFeatureClass

MichaelMurphy8 — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 10:35:33 GMT

If you're just trying to add a featureclass to the map, give this a shot.

IFeatureClass myFeature = CreateFeatureClassWithSR("MyPoints", (IFeatureWorkspace)workspace, gds);
                if(myFeature != null) {
                    //Create an IFeatureLayer
                    IFeatureLayer featureLayer = new FeatureLayerClass();

                    CreateDummyPoint(myFeature);
                    featureLayer.FeatureClass = myFeature;
                    ILayer layer = (ILayer)featureLayer;
                    layer.Name = featureLayer.FeatureClass.AliasName;
                    
                    IMxDocument mxDocument = (IMxDocument)myApplication.Document;
                    IMap map = mxDocument.FocusMap;
                    map.AddLayer(layer);
                }