Description

Returns a (Multi)LineString representing the fully noded version of a collection of linestrings. The noding preserves all of the input nodes, and introduces the least possible number of new nodes. The resulting linework is dissolved (duplicate lines are removed).

This is a good way to create fully-noded linework suitable for use as input to ST_Polygonize.

ST_UnaryUnion can also be used to node and dissolve linework. It provides an option to specify a gridSize, which can provide simpler and more robust output. See also ST_Union for an aggregate variant.

This function supports 3d and will not drop the z-index.

Performed by the GEOS module.

Availability: 2.0.0

Changed: 2.4.0 this function uses GEOSNode internally instead of GEOSUnaryUnion. This may cause the resulting linestrings to have a different order and direction compared to PostGIS < 2.4.

Examples

Noding a 3D LineString which self-intersects

SELECT ST_AsText(
        ST_Node('LINESTRINGZ(0 0 0, 10 10 10, 0 10 5, 10 0 3)'::geometry)
    ) As  output;
output
-----------
MULTILINESTRING Z ((0 0 0,5 5 4.5),(5 5 4.5,10 10 10,0 10 5,5 5 4.5),(5 5 4.5,10 0 3))
        

Noding two LineStrings which share common linework. Note that the result linework is dissolved.

SELECT ST_AsText(
        ST_Node('MULTILINESTRING ((2 5, 2 1, 7 1), (6 1, 4 1, 2 3, 2 5))'::geometry)
    ) As  output;
output
-----------
MULTILINESTRING((2 5,2 3),(2 3,2 1,4 1),(4 1,2 3),(4 1,6 1),(6 1,7 1))
        

See Also

ST_UnaryUnion, ST_Union