Import Arc/Info shapefiles

You use this function to convert a shapefile to a string.

To run this function: Choose File > Import > ARC/Info shapefiles, or...

• In the Function Chooser, type SHAPEFILE TO STRING, and press ENTER.

The shapefile feature types are converted in the following ways:

• Point

  Each Point feature is converted to a point in segment 1 of string 1, with attributes stored in d-fields.

• Arc

  Each Arc feature is converted to a different string with each PolyLine of the Arc converted to a segment of the string. Attributes for the Arc are stored in the d-fields of the first point of the first segment of the string.

• Polygon

  Each Polygon feature is converted to a different string with each Ring of the Polygon converted to a segment of the string. Attributes for the Polygon are stored in the d-fields of the first point of the first segment of the string.

• MultiPoint

  Each MultiPoint feature is converted to a different segment of string 1. Attributes for the MultiPoint are stored in the d-fields of the first point of the segment.

From the File menu, select Import, then ARC/Info shapefiles to invoke the function.

Define the shapefile to convert
File name

Enter the name of the shapefile to be converted. No extension is required as it is appended automatically.

Output file name
Location and ID

Enter the Location and ID of the string file to be created.

Result

A string file and log file with the specified location and ID values have been created from the specified shapefile. The log file contains a list of d-fields and the attributes they contain.

Note: After conversion, d-field 1 will contain the shape type for the string. The attributes from the dBASE table will be stored in the remaining d-fields, starting from d-field 2.