Data Conversion
Can your data be read by me?
Can my data be read by you?
What software do you use?
Are there any standards for data conversion?
Common File Formats:
DXF AutoCAD engineering format
SDTS Standard Data Transfer System
USGS DEM Digital Elevation Model
USGS DLG
ArcInfo EXPORT
Digital Line graph
ArcInfo IMPORT
ArcView SHAPE files
.shp
.shx .dbf
NSDI sets standards!!!
SDTS:
Spatial Data Transfer System
All Federal agencies produce data in this format.
ArcInfo supports this standard: SDTSIMPORT
Several processes must be run before you can
run SDTSIMPORT.
winzip
Tar
SDTS2COV.aml
SDTSIMPORT
SDTS2ARC.aml
AutoCAD format (DXF)
Pretty straight forward BUT:
If the AutoCAD file is in color and layers
there may be some other files in the info
directory that need to be joined.
(X_code, A_code)
Arc:\DXFINFO = inventories the layers in the DXF file
Arc:\DXFARC = opens a dialogue to convert the layers
USGS DEM
Digital Elevation Model:
Converts to a grid
Is converted in both ArcInfo and ArcView
DEMLATTICE
or
DEMGRID
SDTS2ARC.aml
USGS DLG
Converts a Digital Line Graph to an ArcInfo format
Can use the tool: DLGARC
or
STDS2COV.aml
ArcInfo formats
To IMPORT (To open a coverage from someone else)
a .e00 file format to a coverage, grid, or others:
Arc:/ IMPORT auto <.e00 file name> <coverage name>
To
EXPORT (To give to someone else)
a coverage, grid, or other items
to a .e00 file
Arc:/ EXPORT auto <coverage name> <e.00 file name>
ArcInfo Shape files
Shape files must have at least 3 different files with the
same name to make them valid.
.shp file
.shx file
.dbf file
TIGER/LINE data
Topologically Integrated Geographic
Encoding and Referencing system
•The TIGER/Line files are a digital database
of geographic features, such as:
• roads,
• railroads,
• rivers,
• lakes,
• political boundaries,
• census statistical boundaries, etc.
TIGER/Line 2002 (Bureau of the Census)
Other formats:
Adobe Illustrator
Postscript
RTL
PIC to DXF
LAB # 1
The purpose of this lab is to develop your skills in file
conversion. In GIS there are data stored in many
different types of format. In this lab you will be asked
to download and convert 4 different types of data to
an Arc/Info format. Then, try the 1 additional file
types:
All the files are located at:
_instruct/ftp_files
Counties.zip
assign1_g.dem
assign1_topo.e00
Try to convert a SDTS format file
NV_BND.DXF
G zip.exe tar.exe
sdts2arc.exe
WINZIP