Hi,
the dwg to shape post made me wonder ...
on our dc we can use both file types as a background map,
we do our stake out work mostly from a dxf or a point file.
don't know much about shape files, they're gis related ...
what's the difference or benefit compared to a dxf file?
i guess and hope the file size is smaller.
thanks for your input,
Christof.
I work with both GIS and CAD. I come from a CAD background so I wondered the same thing. It has been my experience that SHP files work much better than a DXF. I have never had any luck with a DXF file. If you decide to use a SHP file be sure it is setup using the correct coordinate system (ex. NAD 1983 StatePlane Tennessee FIPS 4100 Feet, since I live in Tennessee). You would be correct to assume that it is a smaller file size than a DXF.
You can load a shp into a trimble data collector and have the shp turned on as an active map. Do keep in mind arcmap will have 6 other files associated with that SHP file and you only need the SHP in the DC.
I have worked with both files on the dc and prefer the dxf file for a number of reasons :
You can turn layers on and off in a dxf
You can lock layers and make only certain layers selectable.
It is easy to edit the dxf and add cad elements, change line styles or colors with cad software in the field, it is not that easy to edit a shape file.
For staking i rekon the dxf is the way to go, for large datasets or maps just for background information and orientation, i shape file would be better
Thanks all for the info,
I exported some files from Acad-map to play with.
I noticed you can't mix point and lines in shape files this way ... that's another good reason to stick with the dxf format.
Chr.
