1

My "Direction/Length" right-click option is not working when trying to draw a polygon.

I start a shape by dropping a single vertex, right-clicking and choosing "Direction/Length".
enter image description here

I enter in the degrees, minutes, seconds, and length that I need and press Enter.

Nothing happens. I right-click a second time and repeat the process. This time a vertex is drawn where I want it. (Weird, but I go with it)
enter image description here

I repeat the process again for the next vertex, same thing: Nothing happens on the first try, but the second try it drops a vertex.

Only this time, this new vertex is broken off from the rest of the shape, and any prior vertices are also cut off and made independent points.
enter image description here

What is going on here? Each new vertex remains independent and does not form a shape. enter image description here

Improve this question
4
  • Does it work if you try to set one and then the other separately?
    – Adam Kara
    Commented Apr 20, 2016 at 11:19
  • @AdamKara If I draw a polygon as usual, without the use of specific directions or lengths, it works just fine. Everything connects and forms a shape as it should.
    – Nomkins
    Commented Apr 20, 2016 at 13:08
  • 1
    Is this happening with all polygons or just this specific feature?
    – Adam Kara
    Commented Apr 20, 2016 at 13:28
  • @AdamKara Good question. I just opened up the same feature class in a different map document and it works fine. I wonder if it's a data frame thing...
    – Nomkins
    Commented Apr 20, 2016 at 13:35

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

Thankfully it was just a stupid mistake.

What happened was I had created a new Map Document to work with this particular polygon feature.

When creating this new map document, I forgot to change the Coordinate system to use Feet as the Map Unit of measurement. So, when I was entering my Direction/Length, it was looking for Decimal Degrees and I was feeding it Feet mumbo-jumbo.

All I had to do was open the Data Frame properties window, click the Coordinate System tab, and select the proper Coordinate system to work with the features I am editing.

Improve this answer
2
  • 1
    I opened a blank MXD to test it really quick and noticed that when I did direction/length the default for direction was angular. I saw that and was going to suggest checking your units but you solved it anyways!
    – Adam Kara
    Commented Apr 20, 2016 at 13:48
  • 1
    @AdamKara Thank you very much for asking the right troubleshooting questions to get me on the right track to being productive again. This is the kind of help I come to this site for. <3
    – Nomkins
    Commented Apr 20, 2016 at 13:50

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.