ArcFM Solution: The Director's Cut

Creating Circuit Groups/Channels in Fiber Manager

In Fiber Manager, the path of a single glass fiber running from a utility through various connections and ending at a customer demarcation point is called a circuit. Since one fiber optic cable can contain well over a hundred glass fibers, you may have huge numbers of circuits to keep track of. Fortunately, Fiber Manager's Circuit Manager tool includes the ability to assign each circuit to one group or "channel" (your organization may use either term) and then filter the list of circuits by the desired group/channel. 

A circuit's group/channel assignment is an attribute editable by end-users in the Circuit Manager or the ArcFM Attribute Editor.

However, the creation of new groups/channels requires administrator action:

1. In ArcCatalog, right-click the database connection and choose Properties. 
2. In the Database Properties dialog, on the Domains tab, select the Fiber Circuit Channel domain.
3. In the list of Coded Values below, add the new group/channel name to both the Code and Description columns.

The next time a user starts ArcMap, this new group/channel will be available for circuit assignments and filtering. End-users will also be able to set the group/channel attribute of existing circuits to the new group/channel if desired.

Fiber Editing Errors Series, 3 of 3: Snapping Settings

As with the first two posts in this series we will be dealing with common editing errors and some techniques to avoid them. The primary focus of this post is snapping settings in the context of facility editing within Fiber Manager.

First let's take a look at default snapping settings for a Fiber Optic Cable:

In an edit session choose any Fiber Optic Cable under System Favorites on the Features tab, this will send it to the Targets tab and activate the snap settings.
 

Go to Editor > snapping to open the Snapping Environment dialog.

Notice that snapping settings have been set for Fiber Optic Cables, however you can override these settings. For instance if you wanted to snap overhead fiber cable to poles for cartographic standards, you could check the vertex option next to support structures.

 
 
Another thing to consider is that the feature present on the Targets tab will snap to the first item in the Snapping Environment list, then the second, and so on. You can drag rows to the top of the list that you want to snap to first. Again try this with support structures by dragging the row to the top of the list as shown in the image below.

 
Keep in mind that anything you change in this dialog is merely temporary, persisting only until you choose another feature from the Features tab at which point the administratively established settings are automatically refreshed from the database into the Snapping Environment dialog. If you would like to permanently maintain any adjustments to these snapping settings, they must be made in ArcCatalog via the ArcFM Snapping Manager.

You can also change the sensitivity of the snapping by going into Editor > Options and clicking on the General tab. Notice the Snapping tolerance value, it should be around 15 to 25 for most normal collection applications; however, you can change the value to suit your needs. A higher number is more sensitive, a lower number is less sensitive. Also note the option Show Snap tips, this will provide a pop up while sketching to show what you are snapping to.

 

Don't forget about the space bar. When sketching you can temporarily turn off all snapping by holding down the space bar. However, be careful in the application of this hotkey as improper use during the placement of network facilities can result in disconnected features. 

For additional information you can refer to the blog post Three Tips on Snapping.

Fiber Editing Errors Series, 2 of 3: Overshooting and Snapping to the Wrong Feature

As with the first post in this series we will be dealing with common fiber editing errors. This time we will look at overshooting the snap destination, snapping to the wrong feature in the dataset and how to correct these easily and accurately.

First lets take a look at an area with an example of each of these problems:

At a glance it is obvious we have a couple of FiberNetwork_Junction features that make it easy to see there are some dangling fiber optic cables. To investigate further it is necessary to take a close look at the linework. Use your Edit tool to double-click each of the 2 count lines and review the vertices that make up each line.

 

Main 4 is an overshoot - the cable continues on past the splitter where it has been snapped into the network.

Main 5 is an overshoot and snapped to the wrong feature - the cable continues past the splitter where it has been snapped into the network and is also snapped to the 12 count fiber cable.

Another giveaway that a problem exists is that neither Main 4 or Main 5 will be listed in the Connection Manager when you activate the splitter feature.

 

To fix both of these errors you will remove the extra vertex on each line. You do not want to grab the vertex and snap it to the splitter since you will then have two vertices for that line right on top of one another. Also if the extra vertex is snapped to something else and you move it, the other network features will come with it.

Double-click on Main 4 to view the vertices, hover your cursor over the extra vertex, right-click and choose Delete Vertex. This will fix the overshoot error and Main 4 will be visible in the Connection manager

 

Main 5 will require some extra steps since it has been snapped to another feature. Double-click on Main 5 to view the vertices, hover your cursor over the extra vertex, right-click and choose delete vertex. When you click off the line you will get an error.

 

You need to disconnect the feature from the network to fix it and then reconnect it when finished. Double-click back on Main 5, bring up the Geometric Network Editing toolbar and click on the second tool, Disconnect.

 

Now you can right-click over the extra vertex and choose Delete Vertex.

 

With the line still selected, click the first tool on the Geometric Editing toolbar, Connect. This will reconnect the line into the network and Main 5 will be visible in the Connection Manager.

 

Three Tips on Snapping

Snapping is a crucial part of every editor's work as it drives network connectivity and supports cartographic standards. Following are three tips to maximize the usability and usefulness of snapping.

Enable Snap Tips: Enabling this setting displays a dynamic fade out text box in the map display listing the feature class and snap command (e.g. Distribution Main : Midpoint) corresponding to highlighted item on the Targets tab of the ArcFM Attribute Editor. These Snap Tips function as an informative visual guide to editors as they sketch new features. To enable this setting, choose Editor > Options from the Editor toolbar, display the General tab in the Editing Options dialog, and check the box for Show Snap Tips.

Consider Snap To Feature: Using this right-click context menu utility provides on-the-fly access to snap commands (Endpoint, Vertex, Midpoint, and Edge) for any visible feature in the map display, even if that feature does not exist in the administratively configured Snapping Environment dialog. Using Snap To Feature can be particularly helpful in maintaining cartographic standards while sketching by providing a mechanism for precision placement and reference (e.g. snapping Overhead Primary to Pole vertices for perfect in-line wire placement). To use this utility, choose any tool from the Sketch palette on the Editor toolbar, right-click in the map display while hovering over the intended "snap to" feature, and choose Snap To Feature > snap command (Endpoint, Vertex, Midpoint, and Edge) from the context menu.

Increase Sticky Move Tolerance: Establishing a slightly increased value (between 15 - 25 pixels) for this setting safeguards against unintentional geometry shifts when using the Edit tool with multiple, overlapping features in the map display. The higher value means an editor must be more deliberate when attempting to move selected features which will maintain their position until the move exceeds this increased tolerance value (e.g. 20 pixels). Subtle mouse movements will no longer result in unintentional feature geometry shifts. To enable this setting, choose Editor > Options from the Editor toolbar, display the General tab in the Editing Options dialog, and type an increased value for Sticky Move Tolerance.

Fiber Editing Errors Series, 1 of 3: Features Not Snapped into the Network

As you collect features you may not be snapping them into the network properly. It is most likely your local ArcMap snap settings or the fact that you are zoomed out so far you cannot snap properly. Go to Editor > Options and on the General tab ensure that your snap tolerance is at least 10 (25 is common).

How can I tell the feature is not snapped?

For Lines

If the feature (linear) is not connected to the network you should be able to see a FiberNetwork_junction point feature on the end of it (it may look different depending on your symbology). The feature in question will be missing from the drop-down in the Connection Manager if it is not connected at the point you choose.

At a scale of 1:140 it can still be hard to see the FiberNetwork_Junctions with symbology.

   

At 1:50 these FiberNetwork_Junctions are easier to see. Symbolize them clearly.

 

If you click on the Splitter with the Connection Manager, the Jones cable is not given in the drop-down list.

   

Fix this with the Edit tool, double-click on the linear feature, hover over the dangling end, when the cursor changes, click and drag the vertex and snap it to the appropriate location in the network (splice, service point, etc.).

You can go to Editor > Options and on the General tab click on the option to Show Snap Tips this will give you a pop up telling you what you are snapping to and whether it is vertex, edge, or end. 

For Points 

If the feature (point) is not connected to the network it will be floating if you zoom in, it may show a FiberNetwork_Junction if it is supposed to be snapped to the endpoint of a line. If it is to be snapped along an edge, you can double-click the linear feature it is supposed to be snapped to and see if you have a vertex on it for the point feature.

Again you may need to zoom in to see the problem.

For this Riser, double-click on the line to see there is no connection vertex.

 

Fix both of these with the Edit tool, double-click on the point feature, hover over it, when the cursor changes, click and drag the vertex and snap it to the appropriate location in the network (Fiber optic cable- edge, end, etc.) the Show Snap Tips are useful here as well.

 

 

Location, Location, Location: Editing Fiber Manager Patch Locations with Ease

Modifying existing facilities with ease and accuracy is a common, critical task for any Fiber Manager user. Come see how the Location Editor, new at 9.3 Rev2, permits the rapid addition, removal, and re-association of a feature’s related objects. Comparative presentation of old vs. new patch location editing methods will be the central focus of this engaging demonstration.

Prerecorded for TMMUG 2009.

Download this presentation. (To download, right-click and choose Save Target As)
(.wmv format at 1024x768)

For on-going discussion, visit the Espresso Learning section of the Telvent Support Forums at http://www.miner.com/support/forums/

ArcFM Stored Stuff: The INs and OUTs

Welcome to the wonderful world of Stored Items! Come see how this new functionality in the 9.3 Rev2 release allows you to access and organize Stored Displays, Page Templates, and Documents, all from a single streamlined toolbar. Item creation, folder organization, and user options will all be addressed in this information packed segment.

Prerecorded for TMMUG 2009.

Download this presentation. (To download, right-click and choose Save Target As)
(.wmv format at 1024x768)

For on-going discussion, visit the Espresso Learning section of the Telvent Support Forums at http://www.miner.com/support/forums/

What's New in ArcFM 9.3 Webcast

For those of you who were unable to attend last week's live webcast in the debut of the What's New in ArcFM webcast series, we've recorded and posted this session here for your consideration. Approximately 50 minutes in duration, this recording presents a high level overview of what's new in the recent 9.3 product release across the ArcFM Solution suite. Co-hosted by Telvent Miner & Miner's Education Services and Product teams, the webcast combines interactive presentation, live demonstration, and open Q&A.  Enjoy!

Streaming presentation: What's New in ArcFM 9.3

(To download this .wrf file, click here. Requires free WebEx Player to view)

Shortcuts, Hotkeys, & Tips

Ever wondered how to simultaneously turn on/off all of the Layers in the Table Of Contents? Is there a way to temporarily swap the Sketch tool while editing to the Zoom In, Zoom Out, or Pan tool with a simple keystroke? Curious as to how to quickly establish a user-defined maximum zoom scale and position for the Full Extent command within any given Stored Display or .mxd?

If you've ever pondered such questions while working in ArcMap and ArcFM, then be sure to download the Keyboard_Shortcuts.pdf at the bottom of this post.  Published by ESRI, this eight page document contains an inclusive list of keyboard shortcuts, hotkeys, and general user tips regarding ArcGIS Desktop across the 9.1, 9.2, and soon to release 9.3 platform; all of which have direct application to viewers, mappers, editors, and designers using the ArcFM Solution.

Download Keyboard_Shortcuts.pdf

First Time Fiber Manager User Tips

For those of you who will be running Fiber Manager for the first time, here are a few helpful reminders.

• Go to Tools > Extensions and turn on the Fiber Manager and Schematics Extensions.
• Once in the ArcMap/ArcFM interface, the Fiber Manager tools will not become active until you add valid fiber feature classes into the Table of Contents (a System Stored Display created by your Administrator is the best way to populate the interface).
• Connection Manager will not become active until you have started editing.
• If you have to repair disconnected layers in the Table of Contents (disconnected layers will be denoted with an exclamation point) some of the Fiber Manager tools may not work. Remove the fiber feature layers and add them in again, this will fix the problem.