ArcView SHP Interface - A Plugin for GenesisII

Function
GenesisII can import shape data from files in Arcview Shapefile Format (SHP). Arcview Polygon, Arc and Point information can be loaded, with control over which polygons/points are imported available using tabular information in the accompanying DBF file. Data is mapped onto the GenesisII landscape grid using georeferencing information so you should ensure that this is set up correctly for both your source data and the GenesisII grid (GenesisII georeferencing information may be edited from the Georeferencing item of the Landscape Editor module menu).

We expect to add corresponding export functions in the near future.

Setting up the plugin
Simply copy the arcview.glg file to your GenesisII plugins directory.

Options
The plugin displays a dialog box to control import parameters. As GenesisII imports shape information into terrain layers at least one terrain layer must have been defined for the current map. The dialog contains the following parameters (arranged by section)

Arcview Interface File
This section is used to choose the Arcview SHP file to be imported.

• Arcview SHP file: The Arcview SHP file to be imported. Once select parameter information in the remainder of the dialog is filled in.
• Bounds: The bounds information read from the SHP file. For information only as this data is not used directly by the plugin.

GenesisII Terrain
This section specifies information about the GenesisII terrain layer into which the data will be imported.

• Use Layer: Drop down list of available layers for this map.
• Landscape Grid Coordinates: The georeference coordinates for this map. For information only.

Import Data
The final section specifies selection criteria for the data to be imported.

• Shape type: (read only) The type of shape the SHP file contains. Arcview SHP files can only contain one type of shape, and GenesisII can only use Point (for importing model placement), Arc (typically roads, walls, hedges etc.) or Polygon (for importing terrain polygons) information.
• Select: A drop down list of the available fields in the SHP file. If a field is selected then the Value drop down list will be populated with the available values.
• Values: Drop down list of available values for the selected field. If select is enabled then only regions or points will be imported from the SHP file meeting these criteria.

Action
The Import button in this section starts SHP file import. Import may take a few seconds so as the file is imported the number of structures created is displayed.

Once imported shape information can be manipulated in the Landscape Editor.