Exporting RFCAD to ArcView

RFCAD allows the export of Prop files into Arcview for display in a GIS environment. This is a simple task which can be achieved by following the steps delineated below.

Exporting a Prop File

First, you must select the prop file you wish to export. This can be done from either the map window display, or from the project window display. If you choose to use the Map window display, first click with the mouse pointer on the small hand found on the Map toolbar. This will activate the "Select" option for the mouse pointer. Once the mouse pointer is in the "Select" mode you can click and drag with the left mouse button the area in which the prop you wish to export is located.

This will open the RFCAD "Selected Objects" dialog box. This box will display all of the potential objects (props, sites, terrain profiles, etc.) found within the area you selected with the left mouse button. Select the prop you wish to export from the left side of the dialog box so that it is highlighted. Then click the "Export" button found on the right side of the "Selected Objects" dialog box.

RFCAD will open a "Save As" dialog box. This will prompt you to save the prop in a specific location. This will also ask you what type of file format you wish your exported file to be saved as. Select the Arcview Float Grid file format (.flt) and the proper location for your prop file. Then click "OK".

Importing the Prop File into Arcview

Now that you have exported your prop file there are several steps within Arcview that must be followed in order to properly import the prop file.

  • First, you must be using Arcview with the Spatial Analyst package.
  • Next, once you open Arcview, you must go to the file pulldown menu, and select "Extensions". This will open the Extensions dialog box. Within this, make sure that the "Spatial Analyst" box is checked. If the Spatial Analyst box is not checked, Arcview will not be able to import your prop file.
  • It is also recommended that you have the Streets database for use with the Arcview package. If the Streets database is loaded on your machine, you will also want to make sure that you select the Streets file format in the Extensions dialog box as well.
  • Once you have made sure that Arcview will recognize your specific file formats, click "OK". This will return you to the main Project window in Arcview.

    Adding your Grid file as a Theme

    Now you will want to begin adding themes, so that you can view your prop study. You will probably want to switch to the "View" window, in order to add themes and see them as they come forward.

  • With the View window active, go the to the File pulldown menu. From the File pulldown menu, select the "Import Grids" option.
  • This will open the "Import File Type" dialog box. Select "Binary" and click "OK".
  • This will open the "Import Binary File" dialog box. From this dialog box you can point Arcview to the location of the prop file that you exported. Note that the Binary file format is .flt, which is the same file format that you exported your RFCAD prop file to. Once you complete pointing Arcview to the proper file location, click "OK"
  • This will open the "Output Grid" dialog box. This will prompt you to save the newly imported float file as a grid file. Once this is complete, you will not have to reimport the prop file should you wish to use it again, as it will be saved as a grid file.

    ***Note: Arcview will not import a float file, or save it as a grid file, if the file, folder or directory names contain any spaces, underscores, etc. This is due to a convention in Arcview. Make sure that your file names, folders and directories all look like this "oneword" rather than this "one word".***

    Now you are ready to display your grid source as a theme. With the View window open, go to the "View" pulldown menu, and select "Add Theme".

  • This will open the "Add Theme:" dialog box. Here you will select the location of your Grid Data Source to add as a theme. Point Arcview to the location you selected for your Grid file, make sure that you have selected "Grid Data Source" in the file formats pulldown, and click "OK".
  • Arcview will redraw, displaying your grid file in the left hand side of the View window. To see your prop file, click on the check box at the upper left hand side of the tabular Grid view. Arcview will then display your prop file in the left hand window.

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