.shp,.shx,.dbf to .dxf

[xander]

Can you expand on how to create a DXF that includes data from shape and related files? I was given at total of four files:
17xx.shp
17xx.prj
17xx.dbf
17xx.shx

I would like to transform them into one dxf (or dwg) file. Is that possible? I think the other files have data which will geo-reference the shape file.

I tried to look at the Users Manual but could not figure this out.

I would *really* appreciate any help any of you may be able to provide.

Thanks!

PS: I am using the trial version of this product. Just downloaded it today. Is there a manual (other than what is in "Help") that comes with the sofware if I buy it?

[GuthCAD Software Support]

Hi,

A 'shapefile' by definition actually consists of 3 separate files:

.shp - contains the shapefile geometry
.shx - simply an index file
.dbf - a database file which contains feature attributes for each shape

When you select a .SHP file in Arcv2CAD, it automatically locates the .shx and .dbf files.

A .prj file is an ArcView/ArcGIS project file, and is not part of the shapefile specification. Unlike shapefiles whose format is published by ESRI, .prj files are undocumented (or at least not published by ESRI), and at this stage ArcvCAD does not try to use any information from a .prj file.

So:
Can you expand on how to create a DXF that includes data from shape and related files? I was given at total of four files:
17xx.shp
17xx.prj
17xx.dbf
17xx.shx

I would like to transform them into one dxf (or dwg) file. Is that possible? I think the other files have data which will geo-reference the shape file.Basically yes, just select the .SHP file in Arcv2CAD, select the desired settings such as Feature Attribute data to translate, and then hit the 'Save' button.

However as noted above Arcv2CAD does not attempt to interpret any information in .prj files. The .prj file may or may not contain geo-referencing information relating to the shapefile as per your guess, and if so that will not be handled by the software. However the software does do the most common coordinates projection of 'Latitude / Longitude degrees to NAD 83 / UTM WGS 84 (feet, meters, etc.)'. So if the shapfile coordinates are in Lat/Long degrees and you need the DXF file in say a NAD 83 projection, then select the appropriate transformation in the Arcv2CAD 'Settings' dialog. If the shapefile coordinates are already in the desired projection, then there is no requirement for a projection transformation.

Translate the desired feature attributes by selecting them in the 'Feature Attributes' or 'Text Labels' dialog.

PS: I am using the trial version of this product. Just downloaded it today. Is there a manual (other than what is in "Help") that comes with the sofware if I buy it?Not really, the Windows Help format manual contains the complete manual. There is a PDF form of the User manual for those that prefer it which can be downloaded from out Support page. However it contains the exact same information as the Windows Help format manual.

best regards,
Software Support