The problem with Shapefile support is that the datamodel of OSM is not
very well suited for direct translation into Shapefiles. there are
several issues:
A shapefile only supports one feature type. So one export would need
to have at least two (ideally 3) shapefiles for points, lines, areas.
Areas (polygons) are also only defined through the tagging scheme, so
any converter will need to be constantly updated from the wiki page to
correctly identify and convert lines to areas.
The data schema with its multiple tag value pairs as well poses some
problems. The shapefile will need to include columns for all tags
included in the export. This impacts negatively performance importing
and processing shapefiles. Also, multiple values for the same tags pose
a problem in such a scenario.
I have personally developed a import script for OSM XML data (obtained
from the API) for the Manifold GIS software. My workaround for the
performance issue with multiple columns was to only retain the OSMID in
the actual Geometry layer, and save all tagging data in a separate table
as OSMID, tag, value triplets. One can then join back relevant tags as
needed.
I dont know about the data structure of KML or GML. as these are XML as
well though they might prove easier?
Iván Sánchez Ortega wrote:
<quote who="Axel von Matern">
- Is it possible to import the XML-file into Illustrator?
Related question:
Would it be possible/easy to export a shapefile, or GML, or KML, or any
other professional-looking format?
begin:vcard
fn:Patrick Weber
n:Weber;Patrick
org:University College London
adr:;;Gower Street;London;;WC1E 6BT;United Kingdom
email;internet:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
title:Engineering Doctorate Student
tel;work:02077185430
url:http://www.ucl.ac.uk/cemi
version:2.1
end:vcard
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