I am working with utility network and I am trying to correctly represent my sewer network infrastructure. Therefore, I have to decide between accuracy and proper visualization. In order to have both, I plan to have accuracy in the metadata while providing the proper visualization. Therefore, my plan is to have my the correct coordinates in my attribute table while the feature may not be at the precise location for visualization purposes. Hint my question, how do I have a feature (e.i manhole) store a coordinate and though I move the feature over the map, the coordinate I stored in the feature does not change?
I'd like to offer an alternative approach. How about employing cartographic Representations? This way the data can remain accurate, but be portrayed differently. For example, one can displace a point to the side when there is clutter in the Representation of it, but the underlying data still contains the original location.
What are representations?—Help | ArcGIS for Desktop
Caveats:
Chris Donohue, GISP