topic Re: ModelBuilder - delete a single feature from a feature class in ModelBuilder Questions

ModelBuilder - delete a single feature from a feature class

JamesS1 — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 18:57:41 GMT

Let's say a feature class has 20 features. How would you delete a single feature (ex: OBJECTID = 7) using tools and ModelBuilder?

I know there is a DeleteFeatures tool, but that deletes ALL of the features.

So basically, I want to define a feature class and an expression and only delete the features that meet the expression...

Re: ModelBuilder - delete a single feature from a feature class

LucasDanzinger — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 20:11:21 GMT

I would make a feature layer, then use the Select Layer by Attribute tool to select out ObjectID = 7. Then use the Delete Features tool. As stated in the help, "If the input is a layer with a selection, only the selected features will be deleted."

Luke

Re: ModelBuilder - delete a single feature from a feature class

JamesS1 — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 10:56:49 GMT

It doesn't make sense. If you make a selection, then you are creating new data of only that selection. When you delete the features from that newly created data, the result is empty. The original remains untouched.

Why doesn't 'Delete Features' have an expression associated with it?

Re: ModelBuilder - delete a single feature from a feature class

LucasDanzinger — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:41:50 GMT

If you follow the workflow of: Make Feature Layer > Select layer by Attribute > Delete Features, it should work.

All the make feature layer is doing is making a temporary object for model builder to use. It is then performing a select by attribute to the layer (which is your original data) and deleting all selected features.