From some time ago there is a tool in gvSIG Desktop, very useful for certain projects, that allow us to copy features from a layer to another one.

For example, a common case may be when we have a layer with a certain type of urban furniture in a municipality (such as lampposts), and from time to time we receive a layer containing only the new elements created from another department or from an external company. For example, we can receive a layer containing only the new lampposts incorporated into the city, from a newly urbanized area.

If we want to join these geometries to our original layer, that contains all the elements, we have several options:

• We can use Merge geoprocess, in which we would get a third layer, which would have only the fields of one of the two original layers. It can be uncomfortable because for each layer that we received with the new elements we would have a new layer, so we can have a large number of layers on our disk.
• We can use Union geoprocess, in which we would get a third layer, which would have the fields of both layers (if they are different). It can also be uncomfortable because we can have a large number of layers on our disk.
• We can use “Copy geometries” tool, in which we would copy the features of the layer that we have received to our original layer, which would grow with each new layer received. In this way we would only have one layer with all the information of our municipality, more comfortable to manage.

To use the Copy features tool we will have to activate the layer from which we want to copy the features, and select them with any of the selecting tools. Then we will select the “Copy selected features to clipboard” button (also available in the Layer-> Modify menu). We will indicate if we want to include the alphanumeric fields.

Next step would be to start editing mode on the source layer, and select “Paste features” tool (also available in the Layer-> Modify menu).

It will indicate us how many elements have been copied and how many features have failed. After that we will finish editing and we will have the original layer with the new features.

If you have any doubt here you have a video about the tool: