Used to construct simple or complex shapes from linear elements that share consecutive common endpoints and together define or infer a closed shape. A created shape is a copy of the original line work. It is assigned the active line color, weight, and level. Selecting the Create Shapes tool opens the Create Shapes settings window.

Shapes are created from linear elements that share consecutive common endpoints and together define or infer a closed area.

Lines must not overlap or cross over themselves or other lines. All lines must be segmented wherever they meet other lines. It is only with proper segmentation that topological analysis can correctly interpret how areas are defined. It is strongly suggested that unnecessary segmentation be avoided. To cleanup the topology, use the Bentley Map topology cleanup tools.

Boundaries must form closed networks to enable the inference of areas. There cannot be open junctions, dangles or duplicate linework.

There should only be one linear element where a common boundary exists between two areas. A single boundary line that separates two coverage areas is associated with both areas. A boundary line for each coverage area is not needed. This helps minimize file size and also eliminates problems associated with duplicate boundaries. Duplicate boundaries may cause topology analysis not to work.

All linear elements should be area boundaries. For example, river center lines might form part of the boundaries for a county, but the lines representing the river banks are not part of the actual boundaries. The river bank features should be distinct from the river center line features. The river center lines should only be used where necessary to represent the county boundary since other lines may corrupt or confuse the topological network.

All areas within a single coverage must be exclusive and cannot overlap. Every point within a coverage theme falls unambiguously into only one area.

Each Boundary must contain a centroid for a shape to be created successfully. A centroid is a single piece of text, text node, cell or point that defines the interior of a shape. Only one centroid should be interior to a set of lines that would define a shape. A centroid often has a database linkage which defines the properties for the created shape. This database linkage would be used with the Associate Linkages tool.