Water service lines aren't re-snapping to main with vertex edits

[Andy_Morgan]

Is there any way to configure a utility network so that it behaves like the geometric network when adjusting line vertices as explained below?

In the GN, if you were to delete all the vertices between start/end nodes, when you finish editing the water main it would carry all the service lines over as still snapped to the main. It would create vertices along the main at those fitting/service line connections.

In the UN, it doesn't behave the same way. I tried setting edge connectivity to "Any vertex" for Water Main / Distribution Main asset type, but that doesn't fix the problem because it's precisely when the vertices are removed as the water main feature gets realigned.

After deleting this vertex (under the X) and finishing the sketch, it doesn't pull the service line and junction over with it. Our GIS Technicians have to use 2 steps to re-draw the service line graphic: move junction point and then use "Replace Geometry" tool. Using "Replace Geometry" tool alone won't allow you to snap an end vertex anywhere along the water main feature. It may seem like a minor issue, but when you're doing this all day endlessly, with two clicks instead of one, it adds up to much time wasted.

[RobertKrisher]

Instead of deleting the vertices, I would just enable the snapping grid and orient it between the two vertices I want to snap the laterals to. Then I would move all the features along that section of pipe to the snapping grid. The snapping grid will also help you deal with truing up any of the features that may have been connected to the lateral like service valves, corp stops, etc.

In order for two lines to be connected, they must have a vertex at a common endpoint (endpoint to endpoint, or endpoint to midspan vertex). Even if you delete those vertices, as soon as you move the fitting at the end of the lateral back onto the main it will create a vertex on the main at that location.

[Andy_Morgan]

Thanks. Unfortunately, using grid snapping won't actually save time/clicks. Moving individual service line features (by dragging junction points), without referencing the snapping grid, was already one option we considered, but the reason it's more efficient to delete all vertices in between the end points is because ultimately the Technicians will still be re-drawing the geometry of each service line. They might get shortened, along with snapping to the realigned main geometry. So the most efficient route for our situation seems to be:

1. Realign start/end nodes for water main.

2. Mass delete all intermediate vertices. The main feature is shifted and all service lines are then disconnected. 

3. For each service line, use "Replace Geometry" to redraw the service line at a more realistic length. While doing this part I realized we can use the [right click] Snap to Feature -> Edge option to snap to the water main midspan.

I guess it's because we're shortening service lines while also repositioning them with the realigned main that we are in a somewhat rare situation. In any case, we do see that the Geometric Network handled this one with less clicks, since it auto carried the service lines over with the re-aligned main feature and kept them snapped. Oh well, we'll adapt.    

[Andy_Morgan · Accepted solution]

An even better solution that pretty much mimics what was being done in the Geometric Network:

1. Select water main to be realigned. Instead of deleting all vertices between start/end nodes, use "Replace Geometry" on the water main (instead of on all the service lines attached to it). Make sure the start vs end node is in the correct order as you re-draw the line, so things don't get flipped.

2)  When you finish your sketch edits, it'll shift the main and all the junctions and service lines automatically come over with the main.

3) Now all you have to do, if needing to shorten or increase the length of the service lines is touch the end node (vertex) rather than editing both ends in the previous steps.