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The TractBuilder Metes & Bounds Tool simplifies the process of drafting mapping features based on metes & bounds legal descriptions. If you have ever mapped this type of legal description then you will appreciate the amount of time that the TractBuilder tools will save you. There are multiple ways of taking a written legal description and importing it into a mapping system. The method you use will depend on your skill level and the complexity of the legal description. In some cases, you will be able to copy and paste the legal description into the tool and identify the starting point and you will be done. In others cases, particularly very simple tracts, you will enter the short hand for the few calls and be done.

Point of Beginning & Calls

A metes & bounds legal description is comprised of a two elements that are important for drafting purposes. The first is the point of beginning, which as it sounds is where the legal description begins describing the area. The second is the calls. The calls are a list of statements that walk the boundary of the area of land that is being described.

Types of Calls: Direction/Bearing, XY, and Curve.
A direction bearing call describes a side of the tract by specifying a direction (north or south), an angle, a bearing (east or west), and a distance. For example. Thence north 34.2342 east a distance of 430.34 feet.

An XY call identifies a specific location on the earth that when combined with the end point of the previous call defines a side of a tract. It is becoming more common for surveyors to supply lists of points to describe a tract of land. XY calls can be in different coordinate systems, including Lon/Lat, State Plane, and Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM).
A curve call describes a non-linear side of a tract based on the arc of a circle. There are multiple formats a curve call may have; however, all must specify enough information to determine the radius of the curve, the direction of the curve, and the distance along the curve that describes the side of the tract. Curve calls are the most complex and often present challenges to novices in the field. TractBuilder’s Metes & Bounds Tool takes away the challenges by offering wizard based entry for those times you forget how to enter curve call information.

Legal Description Entry

There are three basic methods of converting a metes and bounds legal description into a GIS feature:
AutoTranslatation, Wizard Entry, and Shorthand Entry.

AutoTranslation

Many times you will be provide with an electronic version of a legal description or one will be available to you through the use of OCR. In those situations, drafting the metes and bounds feature will involve specifying the starting position and then copying the legal description into the TractBuilder Metes & Bounds Tool and pressing Translate.
The Metes & Bounds Tool can handle a variety of legal descriptions, but in some cases it cannot decipher parts of a legal description. If that does happen, the tool will inform you of the areas in the legal description that need review. Generally the AutoTranslation achieves 80-90% conversion rates.

Wizard Entry
In situations where AutoTranslation is not possible, Wizard Entry will allow even novices to enter the metes and bounds calls to draft the tract. The Wizard Entry method allows the user to select the type of call and be prompted for the required information. As the Wizard Entry is used the tool shows the shorthand format for the entered call to train the user how to use the faster shorthand entry method.

Shorthand Entry

The Shorthand Entry option allows the user to enter freeform data into the tool that defines the calls in the metes and bounds description. The result is the same as the Wizard Entry except that user can more quickly enter data since only keyboard interaction is required.

This item includes one year of support and updates.
This item is not eligible for refunds.
This item is compatible with ArcMap 9.3 and higher.
The required Annual Maintenance Fee for this item is $295.00.
Government & Non-profit users please contact us for pricing.