Boundary File Options

Boundary files are imported in automation when creating a base map, importing a boundary file, or creating a thematic map. Depending on the file type and boundary properties, the following options may be combined when importing a boundary file.

 

FILE-SPECIFIC IMPORT OPTIONS

Each specific file type contains options that may be set. See the following links for more details on importing each file type.

Atlas [.BNA] Import Options

AutoCAD [.DXF] Import Options

Enhanced Metafile [.EMF] Import Options

ER Mapper [.ECW] Import Options

ESRI ArcInfo Export Format [.E00] Import Options

ESRI Shape [.SHP] Import Options

Golden Software Boundary [.GSB] Import Options

Golden Software Blanking [.BLN] Import Options

Golden Software Interchange [.GSI] Import Options

LizardTech MrSID [.SID] Import Options

MapInfo Interchange [.MIF] Import Options

PlotCall [.PLT] Import Options

USGS Digital Line Graph Import Options

USGS SDTS [.DDF] Import Options

 

Example

This example shows how to import a Golden Software Boundary file and convert areas to curves.

 

Set BaseMap = Plot.CreateBaseMap(FileName:= mvapp.ApplicationFolder + _

"\Samples\co2010.gsb", Options:= "AreasToCurves=1, PrimaryIDField=2, SecondaryIDField=1", _

AppendImage:= True)

 

IDs

The following ID and attribute options may be available for an imported boundary file:

Option

Type

Description

PrimaryIDField

Integer

Primary ID assignment

SecondaryIDField

Integer

Secondary ID assignment

Attribute1Field

Integer

Attribute 1 assignment

Attribute2Field

Integer

Attribute 2 assignment

HyperlinkField

Integer

Hyperlink assignment

 

The number assigned to each ID field corresponds to the list of available IDs in the particular file. The first available ID number is 1, not 0 (zero).

 

Example

This example shows how to assign IDs to a base map.

Doc.CreateBaseMap(FileName:= InPath$ + " test.gsb", Options:= "PrimaryIDField=2, SecondaryIDField=1,Attribute1Field=2,Attribute2Field=1")

 

PROJECTION AND INPUT UNIT OPTIONS

If you are creating a base map or importing a boundary file that contains an unknown projection, you may want to define a projection during import. Use the UnknownProjectionTo option to do this. If you decide to change an unknown projection to a defined projection, you need to specify the input data units with the InputDataUnits option.

Option

Type

Description

UnknownProjectionTo

MVProjectionType numeric value

Convert an unknown projection

InputDataUnits

MVDistUnits numeric value

Specify input data units

 

You must define both the UnknownProjectionTo and the InputDataUnits options with the numeric value for the MVProjectionType and MVDistUnits enumerations.

 

Example

This example shows how to assign a projection and units to a base map.

Doc.CreateBaseMap( FileName:= InPath$ + " test.gsb", Options:= "PrimaryIDField=2, _

SecondaryIDField=1, UnknownProjectionTo=5, InputDataUnits=4" )

 

LIMIT IMPORT TO EXISTING MAP

If a map already exists in the map window, you can limit the imported objects to those that are at least partially within the limits of the existing map. This imports the entire object that touches the map limits so the map limits may be slightly adjusted after import.

Option

Type

Description

LimitToExistingMap

Boolean

1 to limit to the existing map, 0 to import without limits

 

Example

This example shows how to limit the import of a base map to an existing base map.

Doc.CreateBaseMap( FileName:= InPath$ + " test.gsb", Options:= "PrimaryIDField=2, _

SecondaryIDField=1, UnknownProjectionTo=5, InputDataUnits=4, LimitToExistingMap=1" )

 

STREET FILES

Street map files are imported with File | Import or Map | Base Map in the user-interface. In automation, this feature does not use the import option strings as listed above. Use CreateStreetMap to import these files

 

 

See Also

CreateBarMap

CreateBaseMap

CreateCartogramMap

CreateDensityMap

CreateFlowMap

CreateGradientMap

CreateHatchMap

CreateLineGraphMap

CreatePieMap

CreatePostMap

CreatePrismMap

CreateSymbolMap

CreateTerritoryMap

Import