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Creating a topology
ArcGIS has a number of pathways for defining and creating a new topology. The primary method involve the use of tools in ArcCatalog. Once you
know how to create a topology, you can automate this work using a suite of geoprocessing tools. These alternative methods are described in this
section.
2. In the second panel, name the new topology and specify the cluster tolerance. The default value will be set to the xy tolerance of the
feature dataset. A good default value is 0.001 meters or its equivalent in the units of your spatial reference (for example, 0.003281 feet if
your units are in feet or 0.0000000556 degrees if your units are in latitude-longitude as decimal degrees).
3. Next, choose the feature classes that will participate in the topology. You will be shown a list of all of the feature classes in your feature
dataset. Use your design to pick any or all of the feature classes that will be included.
4. Click next to move to the next dialog box and set the coordinate accuracy ranks for each feature class in the topology. See the "Coordinate
ranks" section of Topology in ArcGIS for more information and guidance.
If one or more of your feature classes contain coordinate z-values, you'll be prompted to set the z-tolerance as part of the cluster tolerance
panel. The z-tolerance is used to distinguish the z-height or elevation of vertices within the tolerance of one another. For example, two
adjacent features of different heights might share a common edge between them. However, only their x,y vertices are co-located, not their
z-value or height. The z-tolerance helps to process this information correctly during validation and clustering operations. The default z-
tolerance value is the same default value as the x,y tolerance (0.001 meter in real-world units).
5. Next, add the series of topology rules that help you to structure the spatial relationships between features as well as to control and validate
how features share geometry. See Topology rules for more information.
6. Complete the wizard to create your new topology.
7. You have now added the new topology to your feature dataset. You will be asked if you would like to validate your topology in your feature
dataset now. If you have data in your feature classes, you can choose Yes.
NOTE: Very large feature datasets can require lengthy processing times for validation. If your datasets are very large (hundreds of
thousands or millions of features, which will very likely require hours of processing time), you may want to start these processing jobs at a
scheduled time.
You can also use ArcCatalog, ArcMap, or Geoprocessing tools to validate the topology.
ArcToolbox contains a series of geoprocessing tools for topology. The Topology toolset is located in the Data Management toolbox:
These tools can be used to build scripts for creating and modifying geodatabase topologies. Scripts can be useful for automating a series of tasks
and for building repeatable workflows.
Here are the steps for creating a new topology with geoprocessing:
1. Develop your topology design.
2. Use the Create Topology tool to create a new topology within a feature dataset.
3. Add feature classes to the topology and set their coordinate ranks using the Add Feature Class To Topology tool.
4. Add topology rules for how features will share geometry using the Add Rule To Topology tool.
5. Set the cluster tolerance using the Set Cluster Tolerance tool.
6. Once you have created the topology definition and rules, use the Validate Topology tool to validate your new topology.