Replacing one feature's geometry with another in ArcGIS Pro when all fields are different

Question

I am currently working with two different feature classes in ArcGIS Pro, and I would like to know how to replace the geometry of one feature with another feature's geometry when all fields are different between the two feature classes.

For example, I have two feature classes:

Feature class A contains features A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5. Feature class B contains features B1, B2, B3, B4, and B5. I would like to replace the geometry of feature B1 with the geometry of feature A1 while keeping all the attributes of feature B1 intact.

Is there a straightforward tool or process in ArcGIS Pro that can help me accomplish this?

I have searched for a solution in the documentation and online resources but have not yet found a clear answer.

Answer 1

To perform this operation one at a time, use the 'Transfer Attributes' option in the 'Modify Features' pane, setting the field mapping to include ONLY the 'Shape' field. (Note that this is similar, but not quite the same as the 'Transfer Attributes' tool.)

Set Up:

• 'Edit' tab (in the ribbon)
• 'Modify' item (in the Edit tab)
• 'Transfer Attributes' item (in the Modify Features pane)
• Click the 3 horizontal bars (hamburger menu) item
• Choose 'Field Mapping'
• Select the 'Target' layer AND the 'Source' layer at the top of the field mapping
• Click 'Clear' (to delete all items in the field mapping - THIS IS IMPORTANT - otherwise you'll also replace any other mapped attributes)
• Next to the 'Shape' field, click the blank space and select 'Shape' for the source field
• Click 'OK'

Now you're all set up and ready to go.

Perform Updates:

• Click on a source feature (eg, 'A1') then click on a target feature (eg, 'B1'). The target feature's geometry will be replaced.

• Repeat for each other source/target pair of features.

Note that this process can sometimes be a little tricky. I find that turning off all other layers helps a lot. Sometimes it is necessary to turn off the target layer while selecting the source feature, and vise versa.

Answer 2

Simplest way is create common field, join 2 tables and remove unnecessary fields. Alternative is to use tiny field calculator expression on field Shape of feature class with wrong geometry:

G = arcpy.Geometry()
geomList = arcpy.management.CopyFeatures("CORRECT_GEOMETRY",G)
def replaceGeometry():
  return geomList[0]
#------
replaceGeometry()

So start editing FC with wrong geometry:

Select one (!!!) feature in A and B:

Run script:

You can re-run it from Results window, just remember selection rule: