While discussing converting Mapinfo data to Arview... As the world becomes more familiar with GIS, it's obvious in my area that ESRI "appears" to be leading the way in that, everyone involved with GIS at the basic desktop use level refers to "shape" files when requesting any data.
"Would like to request a copy blah blah blah of your "shape" files..." "When submitting your boundary "shape" file..." "Can we get a copy of your centerline "shape" file?" Outside of the fact, I know many of the people requesting this data are using Arcview, many obviously think that GIS data and "SHAPE" files are one in the same. Is the term "shape file" become the defacto moniker for GIS, object or spatial data? Dave -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mats Elfström Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 1:32 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [email protected] Subject: Sv: [MI-L] MapInfo to Arcview with style intact Hi Tom! The shape file format is not designed to retain map styles (or coordinate system info for that matter). Therefore, it is not even in theory possible to transfer the native styles of MapInfo objects to a shape file. However, when ESRI discovered that people were using shape files for GIS data, they added a *.lyr file which is used as a template for object styles. Similarly, a *.prj file was added in order to hold information on projection and coordinate system. So, if you would want to truly convert tab to shape, the converter should a write a *.lyr file as well as a *.prj file along with the basic shape file set. But MapInfo and ArcGIS uses different color schemes, different line styles and region fills. You would need to make some kind of translation table to take care of that. The same goes for the spatial reference. They use different definitions for that as well. But I'm not saying it's impossible, I'm only pointing out the some of the considerations one has to make. Do share it with the list if you find out something useful. Regards, Mats.E _______________________________________________ MapInfo-L mailing list [email protected] http://www.directionsmag.com/mailman/listinfo/mapinfo-l -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.408 / Virus Database: 268.13.2/472 - Release Date: 10/11/2006 _______________________________________________ MapInfo-L mailing list [email protected] http://www.directionsmag.com/mailman/listinfo/mapinfo-l
