Feature Edge

Class Name: Feature Edge

A one-dimensional Feature Topology object used to represent the location of a Linear Feature and/or the borders of one or more Feature Faces as an ordered collection of Locations connecting one Feature Node to another Feature Node. The orientation of a Feature Edge is defined by the order of its Location components, as well as by its Feature Edge Starting Node and its Feature Edge Ending Node.

A Linear Feature representing the centerline of a road would be defined by one or more Feature Edges. The border of a forested area would be defined by a collection of one or more Feature Edges.

When are Feature Edge objects required?: Feature Edges are required whenever either Linear Features or Feature Faces are present.
Does the sequence of Locations that make up a Feature Edge include the endpoints?: No. The endpoints of a Feature Edge are defined by its Feature Edge Starting Node and Feature Edge Ending Node components.
Are there any geometric constraints on the sequence of Locations that make up a Feature Edge?: Yes. In general, there should be no duplicate Locations (i.e., having the same coordinates) within a Feature Edge. The path defined by the sequence of line segments that connect the consecutive Locations that make up a Feature Edge must not intersect or overlap itself. Feature Edgesmay meet only at Feature Nodes.
How are Feature Edges affected by the feature topology level?: At feature topology level 2 or higher, no Feature Edge may intersect with or overlap another Feature Edge. At feature topology level 3, each Feature Edge forms part of the boundaries of exactly two Feature Faces.