Importing ESRI Shapefiles into RockPlot2D

RockPlot2D | File | Import | SHP (ESRI ArcView Shapefile)
or
RockWorks | Graphics | 2D Tools | Import | Shape

This program will import point, line, or polygon data from ESRI "Shapefiles."

Menu Options
Step-by-Step Summary
Tips

Menu Options

• Shape Options:
• Input File: Click on this tab to browse for the name of the Shapefile to be imported. You must select a file for the options to show.
• • Points: Point data will be converted to RockWorks symbols.
  • • Color: Click the color box to choose a color for the point symbols.
    • Symbol Number: Select the number for the RockWorks symbol to be used to represent the points.
      To view the symbol library to determine the symbol numbers that belong to different symbol designs, expand the Misc. Tables heading in the Project Manager tab (in the main Rockworks program window) and double-click on the Symbol table's name to view the available symbols. (See also Symbol Tables Overview.)
    • Size: Type in the size, as a percent of the project size, for the symbols. Default = 0.02 or 2%.
  • Lines: Line data will be converted to RockWorks lines. Click on the Style box to select the line color, thickness, and style for the lines. This setting will also apply to polygon borders if they are being imported.
  • Polygons: Polygon data will be converted to RockWorks polygons.
    • Background: Click the color box to choose the fill color for solid filled polygons (see Fill Type, below), or the background color for pattern-filled polygons.
    • Foreground: For pattern-filled polygons, click here to choose the pattern line color.
    • Fill Type: The polygon can be set to un-filled, to solid fill, or to pattern fill.
      • Pattern Number: Choose the pattern design by typing the Pattern Number into that prompt.
        To view the pattern library for index numbers and density settings (below), expand the Misc. Tables heading in the Project Manager pane, and double-click on the Pattern table's name to view the available patterns. (See also Pattern Tables Overview.)
      • Density: This establishes how often the pattern repeats, with the lower the number the denser the pattern. Refer to the samples in the pattern select window, referenced above.
    • Plot Border: Use if you want a border around the imported file. Click Style example image to select line thickness, style, and color.
• Output Options:
  • Save Output File: Check this to assign a name for the map in advance, rather than displaying it as Untitled.
    • Automatic: Choose this option to have RockWorks assign the name automatically. It will use the name of the current program plus a numeric suffix, plus the ".Rw2D" file name extension.
    • Manual: Choose this option to type in a name of your own for this file.
  • Display Output: Check this option to have the resulting map displayed in RockPlot2D once it is created.

Step-by-Step Summary

1. From RockPlot2D: Create a new RockPlot2D window, then select the File | Import | SHP (ESRI ArcView Shapefile) option.
   - OR -
   From the main RockWorks menu, select the Graphics | 2D Tools | Import | Shape option.
2. Enter the requested information, described above.
3. Click the Process button to continue.
4. Now, you need to tell RockPlot what kind of drawing this is and how to assign the coordinate system (if known).
   • Choose None if you don't know what kind of drawing this is. This just tells RockPlot that there is no need to geo-reference the image.
   • 
     
   • Choose Map if this is a map drawing.
     Next you'll be prompted to tell the program what the XY coordinates (map units) are in the SHP file.
     • Choose Undefined if you don't know what coordinate system is represented or if you don't wish to geo-reference the map. The map's coordinates will be brought into the RockPlot window as-is, and without any coordinate projection information.
       ! Without any projection information, you will not be able to export the map from RockPlot2D to Google Earth.
     • Choose from the other coordinate systems if you know the source coordinates for the drawing; these will be stored in the Rw2D file's metadata. This allows you to geo-reference this image, for output to Google Earth or other software. See Coordinate Systems for more information.
     • 
       
   • Choose Section or Profile if this is a cross-section drawing.
     As above, you'll be prompted to tell the program whether your XY coordinates (your map units) are.
     • Choose Undefined if you don't know what the original units represent or if you don't wish to georeference this image.
     • Choose from the other coordinate systems if you would like to geo-reference this drawing, for output to Google Earth or other software.
     • 
       
   • Choose Chart if this is a generic diagram, which has no coordinate reference.
   • You can click on the Coordinate Summary tab to see the horizontal and vertical diagram extents.
   • 
     
5. Click OK when you're ready to import the file.

The Shape importer assigns the same symbols to all points, the same line styles to all lines and the same polygon colors to all polygons. The imported image will be displayed in the RockPlot2D window.

Tips

• Use the File | Append command to combine the imported image with an existing Rw2D file (assuming the same coordinate system).
• Use the Utilities | Convert Map Coordinates option to reproject the map to a different coordinate system.
• 
  

See also

• Working with Layers
• Adding this program to your Playlist
• Adding this program to your Favorites
• Save/load/view menu settings
• 
  

Back to RockPlot2D Import menu

Back to Graphics Menu Summary

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