Append original (source) Feature ID to undissolved Buffer attribute table

[GarretDuffy]

Hi, 

1) I have a bunch of source polygons for which I  have created undissolved buffer polygons.
2) I then want to do some calculations, e.g. length of line insecting the polygons, and add that information to the buffer attribute table
3) I then want to join those calculations to the source polygon

However, the feature ID of the source polygon is not appended to the attribute table of the buffer so this makes step 3 very difficult.  I thought a spatial join would be a workaround but I couldn't get it to work.

Does anyone have any idea how might achieve step 3 above?

Thanks,
Garret
BTW: there is a column called ORIG_FID in the buffer attribute table where I expected the FID of the source feature, but it is equal to one in all rows

[GarretDuffy]

Hi,

This appears to be a bug in BUFFER ARCGIS version 10.  According to

http://resources.esri.com/help/9.3/arcgisengine/java/GP_ToolRef/analysis_tools/how_buffer_analysis_w...

"The NONE option causes each input feature to be buffered independently. For each input feature, one feature is written to the output feature class. The output feature has all the input feature's attributes with the addition of a field named BUFF_DIST containing the buffer distance used on that particular feature. "

This is clearly not happening with my installation of ARC.

Garret

Hi, 

1) I have a bunch of source polygons for which I  have created undissolved buffer polygons.
2) I then want to do some calculations, e.g. length of line insecting the polygons, and add that information to the buffer attribute table
3) I then want to join those calculations to the source polygon

However, the feature ID of the source polygon is not appended to the attribute table of the buffer so this makes step 3 very difficult.  I thought a spatial join would be a workaround but I couldn't get it to work.

Does anyone have any idea how might achieve step 3 above?

Thanks,
Garret
BTW: there is a column called ORIG_FID in the buffer attribute table where I expected the FID of the source feature, but it is equal to one in all rows

[DrewFlater]

Hi Garret, sorry to hear about your difficulty. I tried reproducing the issue with some basic test data, and did not see an issue when buffering with the dissolve "NONE" setting -- each of the input features had a buffer record in the output, with all attributes from the input.

Can you upload a screenshot of the Buffer tool dialog before you click run? Also, if you can provide any test data it will go a long way in tracking down your issue.

From your description your workflow is sound. As long as your polygons have some unique identifier there should be no issue in doing the buffer, intersecting the buffers with another layer, then rejoining a length calculation to the original polygons based on that unique ID. But not getting any input attributes in your buffer will definitely put a wrench in this, as you've seen.

Look forward to hearing back from you.

Drew -Esri

[GarretDuffy]

Hi Drew,

Your response helped a lot.  Since you couldn't reproduce the error, the problem was with the input data.  So there's no bug (!)

First I tried Repair Geometry; no change.

Then I exported the Feature Class to a shapefile, tried Multiple Ring Buffer again on the shapefile and hey presto! the input feature attributes were appended to the buffer attribute table.

Not sure how I can send you the Feature Class as it's embedded within a geodatabase.

Thanks,
Garret

[DrewFlater]

An easy way to share data is to use the Package Layer (management) tool to convert your feature class/layer to a file that you can email or upload.

I'm glad that you've found a workaround, but if you can provide your data I would still like to investigate the problem.

Thanks,
Drew

[GarretDuffy]

When I try to upload, I get this:

Request Entity Too Large
The requested resource
/newattachment.php
does not allow request data with POST requests, or the amount of data provided in the request exceeds the capacity limit.

Even though the LPK file is only 2.2 MB, 10 MB is the limit