In Merge (Construct), clarify the function "Preserve overlapping segments"

[RobertHursey]

For the Merge tool (Construct) there is no mention of  "Preserve overlapping segments" in the help, whatsoever. I have determined with this checked on, it creates multipart features.  If you explode them, you still have to merge them and this is checked on by default, causing the same issue.  Please verify this behavior and add some guidance to the help.

[Scott_Harris]

@RobertHursey What version of ArcGIS Pro are you using? Do the lines (assuming you are using lines) have M values on the vertices? Do they have Z values?

Regarding the documentation, there is this, but we agree it needs to describe the behavior more: https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/help/editing/create-a-complex-route.htm and the doc team is now aware.

That option is primarily used when creating routes (m-aware lines) that need to be multipart. If you don't want that option to show up, and you are not concerned about M-values, consider exporting a copy of the feature class and disabling M values in the geoprocessing tool's environment (Export > Feature Class To Feature Class > Environments tab) - https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/tool-reference/environment-settings/output-has-m-values.htm

If you need assistance with any of this, please consider contacting Esri Technical Support: https://support.esri.com/en/contact-tech-support

Thanks,

Scott

[RobertHursey]

Hi Scott.  I am using 3.0. Vertices have M values. I cannot use an exported copy because I am working in a version.  These are road centerlines used for 911 and I have to edit in my version to post to sde.  An option to have that tool on or off by default would be ideal because you cannot have multipart centerline features in NG9-1-1 and the entire nation is working towards that goal using the same standards.

Thanks,

Rob

[Scott_Harris]

That makes sense @RobertHursey We will improve this in a future release.

Thanks,

Scott

[RobertHursey]

Thanks Scott!  We 911 GIS folks merge and split centerlines all the time, especially at emergency service boundaries and every time there is an annexation. Doing this improves locational accuracy and response times.