Reforming shapes by using automatic dissolve

Automatic dissolve merges two adjacent polygons based on class membership; that is, segments belonging to the same class and that are adjacent to each other are dissolved to create a bigger object. The internal boundaries of such segments are removed. The output will exclude all the attribute fields, except the field that contains the class-membership information. It is this field that is used to dissolve the segments.

Automatic dissolve creates a new output file while retaining the integrity of the input file. After running an automatic dissolve, the output layer is loaded automatically in the viewer. The color information is copied from the source layer, if it exists, and used for thematic rendering.

To reform shapes by using automatic dissolve

In the Object Analyst window, in the list under Operation, select Post-classification Editing.
The display is refreshed to show the settings for reforming shapes.
Under Type, make sure Automatic dissolve is selected.
Under Vector Layer, click Select, and then in the Layer Selection window, do the following:
1. In the File box, type or select the file you want.
  If the file you want does not appear in the list, click Browse, and then select the file you want.
2. In the Select column of the table, click the vector layer you want.
  A check mark appears in the column.
3. Click OK.
Under Parameters, in the Class filter list, select the field you want.
The class values are used to dissolve similar polygons.
Under Output, do the following:
1. In the File box, type or select the file you want.
  If the file you want does not appear in the list, click Browse, and then select the file you want.
2. In the Layer list, select the layer of the file you selected.
Do one of the following:
- To add the operation to the Process Canvas box, click Add.
- To add the operation to the canvas and run the process, click Add and Run.