By default, what type of features are created when a GIS analyst selects a line feature class in Create Features?

When a GIS analyst selects a line feature class in the Create Features window, the default type of features that are created is polylines. Polylines are used to represent linear features in a geographic information system, and they are defined by a series of connected points. This makes them suitable for depicting features such as roads, rivers, and trails within a GIS framework.

Choosing a polyline feature class specifically allows for the creation of features that encapsulate the necessary linear properties, which are essential for accurately representing and analyzing linear phenomena on a map. While other feature types such as points, polygons, and multipatch exist within GIS, they serve different purposes that do not align with the selection of a line feature class. Therefore, when working with a line feature class, using polylines is the correct and most effective choice for maintaining data integrity and achieving accurate geographic representations.