Importing Shapefiles
|
Command |
Path |
|
Import Shapefile |
File > Import |
The Vectorworks Architect and Landmark products can import files in shapefile (.shp) format. Each GIS feature from the shapefile is converted to a Vectorworks object. In turn, each of these objects receives a corresponding data record, which is converted from the shapefile's database file.
At import, the goal is to use the same coordinate system for the imported objects and the file. The coordinate system for the shapefile’s imported geometry is defined in a .prj file which is included with the shapefile. The geometry can either be projected to conform to the document's coordinate system, or the shapefile's coordinate system can be used for the file. The second option can only be used when the Vectorworks file is not georeferenced. Subsequent imports automatically use the first option, ensuring that a consistent coordinate system is applied to all of the imported objects.
To import a shapefile and select conversion options:
Select the command, and then select the shapefile to import.
Alternatively, click the file to import and drag it into an open Vectorworks file.
Vectorworks detects the coordinate system for the imported GIS features from the projection (.prj) file, when one is located in the same folder as the shapefile. If no projection file is found, the shapefile cannot be imported.
The Import Shapefile dialog box opens. Specify the file import options.
Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.
|
Parameter |
Description |
|
Layer name |
Enter the name of the new layer for the shapefile import; by default, the layer is named after the shapefile. If the layer name already exists in the file, the new layer is appended automatically with a numerical suffix. |
|
Class name |
Select an existing class to assign to the imported shapefile’s objects, or select New to create a new class |
|
(Import) EPSG/ CRS Name/ Units |
Displays the georeferencing coordinate system of the Vectorworks file or the imported file. If the Vectorworks file is already geolocated, the shapefile is imported using the Vectorworks file's coordinate system, projecting the imported objects so that they match the georeferencing settings and display correctly. If the Vectorworks file is not already geolocated, do one of the following: Georeference the Vectorworks document: Use the georeferencing information from the imported file (as displayed), placing a survey point, transforming imported geometry, and centering imported geometry about the internal origin Ignore Georeferencing: Removes georeferencing information from the imported file, and imports the geometry centered about the internal origin, using the file's user origin coordinates |
