topic Re: Adding z values from points to line in Data Management Questions

Adding z values from points to line

SBreckan — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 08:15:41 GMT

I have two lines (the center line of a tunnel) that lack z values, they are currently just flat lines with start and end xy values. I do have the z values in points - but how do I get the values from the points to the lines? I have the basic license and cannot use the Split Line at Point tool.

I would like the lines to be split at each point and assigned a z value. I have two lines and approximately 400 points, the elevation of the tunnel differs between a few meters below sea level and 90 meters above.

I am using arcmap for desktop 10.3.1

Thanks in advance.

Re: Adding z values from points to line

DanPatterson_Retired — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 08:41:22 GMT

did you try Points To Line—Help | ArcGIS for Desktop

or in an edit session Snapping points to lines—Help | ArcGIS for Desktop

or what have you tried?

Re: Adding z values from points to line

SBreckan — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 09:51:03 GMT

I have tried Points to line, the result is a line that matches the original line I have, with an attribute table with only objectID, shape and shape length.

Snapping points to line I cannot use unfortunately as I only have the Basic license.

I have tried Spatial join (join one to many), but with around 400 points for each of the two lines this just results in a line with attribute table consisting of around 400 20km rows with different z values.

Thank you for your time, Dan.

Re: Adding z values from points to line

DanPatterson_Retired — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 10:37:44 GMT

Z values are contained within the Shape field... is the shape field a pointz type? If it is, then you can get the values for Z by adding a field and using the field calculator to retrieve it or use this

Add Geometry Attributes—Help | ArcGIS for Desktop

Re: Adding z values from points to line

SBreckan — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 11:03:39 GMT

I should have mentioned that I have already added the geometry attributes for the line, the points had them in the attribute table to start with. The line however, is Polyline and not Polyline Z so I cannot fetch elevation data from it.

Re: Adding z values from points to line

NeilAyres — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 11:36:08 GMT

Probably, your only solution is to build a polylineZ from the points via arcpy / python.

If you give us a look at your point data, I am sure someone can give you a start to help you do this.

Re: Adding z values from points to line

SBreckan — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 11:55:35 GMT

That would be great, I am not so well-known with the use of python. I have attached the point data to the original question.

Re: Adding z values from points to line

NeilAyres — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 13:31:01 GMT

You have left most of your shapefile behind.

There is only the *.shp. Can't do anything with that.

A shapefile has several components *.shp, *.sbx, *.dbf, *.prj and possibly several others.

What do you mean by inbound & outbound?

Re: Adding z values from points to line

SBreckan — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 06:48:58 GMT

Yes, I loaded those files up a bit too quick I see. Inbound and Outbound are just the names of the two lines.

Re: Adding z values from points to line

DanPatterson_Retired — Wed, 21 Sep 2016 06:55:05 GMT

It would be useful if you zipped the shapefile bits as one file so people don't have to download and unzip the individual components

Re: Adding z values from points to line

DeanMcGowan — Thu, 22 Sep 2016 08:47:43 GMT

Do you have 3D analyst? If so create a small buffer around each point (less than the minimum distance between nodes) and then create the TIN from the buffered layer.

You should now have a tin that covers the nodes on your line. Now use the "Interpolate Shape" tool to create a 3D version of your line. The "Interpolate Vertices Only" option should be checked.