The type of Feature you can digitize in a Map Layer is dependent upon which Feature Class type was set during the creation of the Shapefile in ArcCatalog. Features are most commonly Polygons, Lines, or Points. For more information, see the tutorial on Creating New Shapefiles or Feature Classes. The following instructions assume that users will be digitizing shapes in a new, empty shapefile. These directions are also relevant to digitizing and editing Shapefiles with existing features.
Add a New Feature to the Map Layer
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Begin Digitizing Features
Click the Editor button in the Editor Toolbar.
Choose Start Editing. The Create Features dialog box will appear. The name of your new Shapefile should appear in the list of Templates.
Click on the name of the new, empty Shapefile.