Parallel Copy

Feature Description

The Parallel Copy function is applicable to line datasets. It allows you to select a line object as the baseline and then copy a line object parallel to the selected one at a set distance and direction.

For example, when drawing power lines, there may be multiple parallel lines of different types. You only need to draw one line as the centerline, and other different power lines can be copied using this function.

Function Entry

  • Edit Data tab -> Object Editing group -> Line editing -> Copy -> Parallel Copy.

Operation Steps

  1. Make the current line layer editable, and select the line object for parallel copy in the map.
  2. In the Edit Data tab, in the Object Editing group, click the Line editing drop-down menu, and select the Parallel Copy button in the Copy group. The Parallel Copy dialog box appears.
  3. Keep the default parameters: Target Layer as selectable layer, Distance as 10 meters, and Copy Method as Both sides. The Copy Method also provides Left and Right options.
Notice:

When parallel copying non-straight objects, if the copy distance is too large, the copy results may deform, and the larger the distance, the more obvious the deformation.

Application Example

Case Description: There are multiple high-voltage tower points. Multiple different types of high-voltage lines need to be drawn: one centerline, two side lines, and two boundary lines.

Data Description: Line dataset.

Main Operation Steps

  1. Draw a line object as the centerline based on the tower points.
  2. Select the centerline object. In the Edit Data tab, in the Object Editing group, click the Line editing drop-down menu, and select the Parallel Copy button in the Copy group.
  3. In the Parallel Copy dialog box, select the layer where the selected centerline resides as Target Layer.
  4. Keep the default Distance as 10 meters.
  5. Keep the default Copy Method as Both sides.
  6. Click the OK button to obtain two boundary lines.
  7. Repeat steps 2-6, but set Distance to 20 meters in step 4 to obtain two lines with a larger range.
  8. Set the thematic map style to get the final result. For specific operations of thematic maps, see: Create Thematic Map

Show Result

Related Topics

Draw Line to Modify Line

Line Split