Vertices
Overview
Vertices are the points that define the shape of a spatial feature, such as the corners of a polygon or the points along a line, used to represent the geometry of the feature in a GIS. Each vertex is defined by a coordinate pair (and optionally Z and M values).
Key Concepts
Vertex is a single point in a geometry (plural: vertices). Node is a vertex at the start/end of a line or where lines connect. Shape point is an intermediate vertex defining curvature. Vertex count affects file size, processing speed, and visual smoothness. Simplification reduces vertex count while preserving shape.
Vertex Operations
| Operation | Description |
|---|---|
| Add vertex | Insert new point in geometry |
| Move vertex | Relocate existing point |
| Delete vertex | Remove point from geometry |
| Simplify | Reduce vertex density |
| Densify | Add vertices along segments |
Appendix
Created: 2025-12-13 | Modified: 2025-12-13