‘Copy Lines To’ for Connection Lines

[SeanLyons]

Our organization relies on a digital submission process to efficiently bring in parcel data received from Surveyors. Our digital submission process produces simple feature classes that contain the geometry and attribution we need in order to create features in the parcel fabric without having to manually create each feature. The output line layer created from our digital submission process consists of the parcel boundary lines as well as any relevant connection lines that are depicted on the survey plan.

Currently, we use the ‘Copy Lines To’ tool to bring in the line work from our digital submission process. This works very well for lines that represent parcel boundaries; however, we are unable to use this tool to create Connection Lines in parcel fabric, as Connection lines are not associated with any parcel type.

Since we can’t use the ‘Copy Lines To’ tool for Connection Lines, we have to use a ‘Copy> Paste Special’ workflow to bring them in. Although this process does work, it is less reliable (sometimes the ‘Paste Special’ option is greyed out) and it is not consistent with how we bring in the other lines. The Paste Special is also difficult to use in our case because the vast majority of the time, it is more convenient to select features in a way that is not compliant with selecting features for editing. We mainly either use select by attribute (which sometimes works with the Paste Special) or select all (which does not work with the Paste Special).

The desired functionality would be to have the ability to use the ‘Copy Lines To’ tool to copy lines into the parcel fabric Connection Line layer. This would greatly improve the flow of our workflows and ensure consistency with how lines are being brought into the parcel fabric regardless of what layer the lines are being brought into. It would also allow us to avoid common mistakes when using the Copy and Paste Special.

Thank You!

[AmirBar-Maor]

@SeanLyons 

Did you consider using a task for this?

A task can:

1. Copy the GlobalID of the active record as a variable
2. Make sure you are selecting the correct lines from the correct layers
3. Set the map as active (this is the second reason why paste special is sometimes greyed out - the map has to be in focus)
4. Paste or append into the correct layer
5. Calculate the 'createdByRecord' field to associate with the active record

A task can improve efficiency,  promote best practices and prevent mistakes (like selecting features from multiple layers)

[SarahSibbett]

@AmirBar-Maor we will be creating a task to streamline the workflow of copying linework from LTSA's digital submission process into the parcel fabric, yes. We still see value in having a consistent workflow for bringing in linework across various line types in the fabric, though (whether they be connection lines or property lines/assessment lines/survey lines, etc.). This is why we would like to see the Copy Lines To process support connection lines. As you've alluded to, the append process does not populate the Created By Record field - but the way you are suggesting to save the active record Global ID as a variable is interesting and something we will consider. I get a little weary of using any workflow that doesn't automatically populate the Created By Record when a new feature is created....but maybe with enough testing I'll come around on that one. Thanks for your feedback!