Import SHP File

The import function allow one or more SHP to import at once.  The Select File(s) can selected more than one file.  This command converts ESRI SHP files into Carlson drawing entities and can also optionally write the available attribute data to an external data source which was defined in GIS Database settings.  There are two Import Options, Geometry with GIS Data or Geometry only.  If the Geometry with GIS Data is selected, then the GIS Data will be imported.   Otherwise, if Geometry only is selected, then only the entities will be drawn . 

It is required to specify layer name which the entities will be created.  There are three options for the layer name, Use Feature Name, Same Layer For All Entities, and Use Attribute Name.  If the Same Layer For All Entities is selected, then it is required to enter the Layer Name.  If the Use Attribute Name is selected, then it is required to pick a attribute name from the feature's attribute list.  This option is only available if there is only one Shapefile selected.

There are primarily three types of ESRI SHP files: Points, Arcs and Polygons.  Each will provide different options on Import. 

If there is a points SHP in the file list, then the user has the option to setup Attach Point GIS Links to either Attributes or Symbol.  Also the user can select Point Protect.  Point SHP files are imported in a three step process.  The first step uses the Import SHP File command to create a coordinate file (.crd/.crdb) for the points in the SHP file and a corresponding table in the the points database. The second is to use Draw Locate Points to draw the points from the CRD/CRDB file into the drawing. The third step uses Create Links to select the points in the drawing and link the database to these plotted points.   Currently, we only allow you to configure attributes for the coordinate file if there is only single that file needs to be imported. 

If the SHP file is Arcs or Polygons, then it is possible to reassigned attributes for entity ID or Elevation.

Note: If the SHP file you are Importing is in a different Projection or Units than that specified in the Drawing Setup, then a transformation will occur during Import, as long as the (.PRJ) Projection file is present with the SHP set of files.  If there is no (.PRJ) file with the SHP, then no transformations will occur.

Pulldown Menu Location: GIS Data
Keyboard Command: import_shp