Selecting features on the map

You would select features on the map if you wanted to see the number and exact location of features of a specific type in a general area. You select features on the map by first selecting the type of feature and then using one of the selection tools, such as a single point, line, polyline, polygon, circle or rectangle, and then adding that point or drawing that shape or line on the map. All features within that area are included as a selection and are displayed in the Results window as well as a symbol directly on the map.

1.	If the Map Tools pane is not expanded, in the map viewer, click the Map Tools button.

2.	On the Map Tools pane, click the More Tools button and then click Selection. The Selections window opens.

Figure 165 

The Selections window for creating a selection

3.	In the Selection Layer field, select the type of map feature you want to view.

4.	You can click the Options button ‘ to set additional options for selecting features.

Figure 166 

Advanced options for selecting features

5.	In the Selection Mode field, select the option that defines how items are added or removed from the list when you select features on the map. The options are the following:

•	Make New Selection. This option creates a new selection group or replaces an existing group of the same type.

•	Add To Selection. This option adds new selections to a group of the same type.

•	Delete From Selection. This option removes items from an existing list.

•	Toggle Selection. This option both adds new items to the list and removes previously selected items from the list.

6.	In the Zoom Mode field, select either Zoom To Selections to have the map zoom in or out to show all the results or None to retain the map at the current map scale.

7.	In the Buffer fields, you can optionally enter a buffer area by the distance you specify around each selected item.

8.	Click one of the following icons to either select a specific area or draw a shape on the map:

Table 16 

Icons used to make selections on the map

Icon	Name	Description
	Select by polygon	Allows you click several points on the map to create a polygon (double-click to complete the shape). All items for the selected group (layer) within the polygon will be included in the list.
	Select by line	Allows you to click points on the map to draw multiple connected lines that includes all features from the selected layer if touched by the line (double-click to complete the line).
	Select by point	Allows you to select a single item on the map for the selected layer.
	Select by circle	Draws a circle that will include all items within the circle for the selected layer.
	Select by rectangle	Draws a rectangle that will include all items within the rectangle for the selected layer.
	Retrieve selections	Allows you to retrieve previously saved selections or results.

9.	Use the tool to draw the required shape. All map features that are within, or whose boundaries intersect, the selection shape are highlighted on the map and their related attribute data is displayed on the Results window. The selection shape remains on the map until you do one of the following:

•	Clear it using the Clear Map tool

•	Make another selection

•	Close the Results window

•	Click any other tool

 

Figure 167 

Selection shape shows the area from where map features are retrieved

In the Results window, you have icons that allow you to perform additional actions. Only the first few icons display at the top of the window— additional icons for more tools are available by selecting the Results window, select the More drop-down menu . See Using the Results window for more information.