When tracing a new datum element, the Copy/Trace tool provides the functionality to transfer attributes from the traced feature to the new datum and automatically populate the associated Datum elements form. You must have a shapefile imported as local layers.

To create a datum by copying from and tracing an existing layer, use the Datum Trace > Copy/Trace tool.

Copy/Trace

Clicking the Datum Trace > Copy/Trace button toggles the tool on.

1. Add the shapefile you want to copy/trace from. Click the Map Layers button .
2. In the Map Layers dialog, on the Catalog tab, click the Add button.

   

3. In the Add Layer dialog, select Shapefile as the Layer Type. Enter the Layer Name, then select the shapefile to use using the Choose File button. With the files chosen, click Upload File. Click Add.

4. Click the Start Spatial Edits button and select the layer you will be working with.

5. Click the Datum Trace button and select Copy/Trace from the menu that opens.
   Note: The Datum Trace button is only available when you are editing a datum network layer.
6. Select the element to trace by drawing a box around it. The Selection Results dialog opens, allowing you to select the element. Click the radio button next to the desired element and click Select.

   

7. Your cursor will now be locked onto the selected feature to be traced. Click and drag the cursor along the feature; when you are finished double-click to open the Create New Datum Element dialog, where you can enter property and attribute data. When you have finished entering data, click Save to create the element.

   

   The button you see in the screenshot, is only displayed if the attribute is set as a reference to a parent Group. If the parent group does not exist, pressing this button will display the Creating Datum Group form so you can create the parent group.

   When all applicable fields are entered, click Save. The dialog closes and the element is created.