Polygon - Dissolve; leaves "cracks" in the polygon feature

[denisedavis]

I have hundreds of polygons that I'd like to put together to create one polygon. In the past I would simply use the Dissove tool and this worked fine. The polygons I'm trying to put together now are parcels and they are separated wherever there is a road right-of-way. When I do the Dissolve, the polygon has "cracks" in it. I've gone through most of the tools I thought might get rid of the "cracks" (Eliminate, Integrate, Union) and can't seem to get a solid polygon feature.  Any help with this is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[denisedavis]

'filling in' spaces between polygons[/URL], that post suggests using the Feature to Polygon tool with a defined cluster tolerance.

Thank you. I looked at the post before I started this thread.

[JohnSobetzer]

I misunderstood what your problem was.  I thought it was topological slivers or "debris".

If you have ETGeowizards You might take the results of your negative buffer and use the global snap on it to your original polys.  You might try different distances.  It isn't one of the free tools, however, and I don't know if you can find something equivalent.

[denisedavis]

In the thread, 'filling in' spaces between polygons, that post suggests using the Feature to Polygon tool with a defined cluster tolerance.

Thanks Don. Yes, I have tried this tool and it would work if the ROW had a consistent width. I was able to make Dan's suggestion (large buffer and then negative buffer of the same size) work except for retaining right angles on corners. There is an option in the buffer dialog that offers a drop down for which type of edge you desire. This option ("End Type") was grayed out so I wasn't able to change "Round" to "Flat". This option is not available when there are multiple polygons selected. If there is anyone who knows of a setting to make the "Flat" choice available when multiple polygons are selected, I would appreciate knowing where it is.

Thanks again for all the help!

[DanLee]

The Buffer process (positive and then negative values) will leave those undesired shapes at corners and turns, as shown in your images. You can try Aggregate Polygons with the ORTHOGONAL option and an aggregation distance a bit larger than the gaps.

Thanks,