****************************************************************************** * Argus Numerical Environments - Plug In Extension, Release 1.0 * * Copyright 1997 Argus Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved. * ****************************************************************************** The SHPImport PIE Purpose: The SHPImport PIE allows you to import data and information from Arc/Info and ArcView to Argus Numerical Environments. You can import Arc/Info/View objects (Arcs, etc.) as well as the attributes associated with them. Price: Free of charge to users of Argus Numerical Environments. Facts: The PIE is binary compatible. You can read Arc/Info/View files created on any platform on all platforms ArgusNE is available for. Because of the tremendous amount of data that can be retrieved from Arc/Info and ArcView and imported into ArgusNE, the SHPImport PIE is a valuable addition to your collection of ArgusNE PIEs. Since ArgusNE supports Layers, and Parameters of different types, all this information can be readily imported into ArgusNE layers and thus evaluated and synthesized according to your model requirements. What are SHP files? ------------------- Shapefiles are a simple, nontopological format for storing the geometric location and attribute information of geographic features. Arc/Info ArcView allow you to easily export information to Shapefiles. When information is exported from Arc/Info and ArcView to shapefiles, 3 associated files may be created. The .SHP files - containing the actual description of the objects. The .DBF files - containing the data associated with the objects. The .IND files - containing the index to the objects allowing for non-sequential access to objects and data associated with them. Additional information about shapefile may be obtained from: http://www.esri.com/base/common/whitepapers/pdfs/av_shape.pdf and from: http://www.esri.com/base/common/whitepapers/pdfs/av_shape.pdf Examples of shape files ----------------------- Some examples of Shape files can be found on ESRI's web site. Visit http://www.esri.com to download examples. Supported platforms ------------------- The Shape PIE can be used with ArgusNE version 3.0r or later. Currently compiled versions are available for PCs running MS Windows, PPC Macintosh and Silicon Graphics. The PIE was develope using the ArgusNE PIE technology and C++. Availability ------------ The PIE is currently available (free of charge) from the Argus ftp site at the following addresses: - MS Windows: ftp://ftp.argusint.com/pub/ArgusPIEs/PC_PIEs/Shape_Import/SHPImport.zip - SGI: ftp://ftp.argusint.com/pub/ArgusPIEs/SGI_PIEs/Shape_Import/SHPImport.so - PowerMac: ftp://ftp.argusint.com/pub/ArgusPIEs/PPC_MAC_PIEs/Shape_Import/SHP%20Import%20PIE%20PPC.hqx Installing the SHPImport PIE ---------------------------- 1. Place the SHPImport PIE in the ArgusPIE directory. 2. If ArgusNE was running at the time you placed the PIE in the ArgusPIE directory you need to quit ArgusNE (MeshMaker) and run it again. 3. As long as this PIE remains in the ArgusPIE directory it will be automatically loaded each time you run ArgusNE. Using the Shape PIE ------------------- - The SHPImport PIE installs a sub-menu item in the Import menu item under the File menu. - The Import SHP file sub-menu item is available in Information type layers and in Map type layers. - You must have pairs of .SHP and .DBF files available. If the .DBF file is missing the PIE will issue a report alert. To Import a Shape file into Map type layers. 1.1 Activate the Map type layer into which you wish to import the file. 1.2 From the File menu select the Import->Shape file menu item. 1.3 Locate and open the desired .SHP file. 1.4 A dialog listing the attributes associated (if any) with the shapes appears. 1.5 Select the attributes to be read. (You can choose to select none) 1.6 All objects are read into the layer. If you do not have enough memory for the PIE to process the file, or if the file is empty, a message will appear describing the nature of problem. To Import a Shape file into Information type layers. 2.1 Activate the Information type layer into which you wish to import the file. 2.2 If you suspect that some shape objects might intersect each other, From the Special menu turn the Allow Intersection on. 2.3 If you know how many attributes are associated with the Shape file and their types (i.e. string, integer, real), assign the layer parameters of the appropriate types to store the attributes read from the .SHP and .DBF files. 2.4 If you do not know ahead of time the number of attributes and their types you can just define many STRING type parameters for the layer. 2.5 Follow steps 2-6 in the paragraph above. If a message appears stating that some contours intersected existing contours, it means that some shapes in the .SHP file intersected themselves (an illegal contour for ArgusNE). Platform Specific Considerations -------------------------------- MS Windows: Once you open the File Locator dialog to open a .SHP file you need to change the file extension filter to "All files" or to "*.SHP". SGI: Power Macintosh: Since the Shape files usually originate on other platforms than the Mac they do not have a file type assigned to them. To be able to locate them using the Import shape file dialog you will need to translate the .SHP file types to TEXT. This can be done with various Public Domain or Share ware application or by ResEdit. On our ftp site, next to the SHPImport PIE, please find the share ware utility DropConversion. It is already set so that when you drop.SHP files on to it, it will convert their type to TEXT. If you use it do not forget to pay. Future Versions --------------- Argus may enhance this PIE in the future to include some or all of the following features: - Automatically define layer parameters of the appropriate type. (saves steps 2.3 and 2.4 above.) - Allow import of shapes which intersect themselves. - Enable import of Shape files which contain only point shapes into Data type layers. - Other features that you may request. Availability of source code --------------------------- If you want to tailor this PIE for a specific Arc/Info application, or would like to enhance the PIE contact us for help and source code. Warranty -------- This software is provided as a service to Argus Numerical Environments users. Using this PIE is strictly under the terms and limitations provided in the Licence Agreement of the Argus Numerical Environments and Argus MeshMaker modules.