Surface ShapeFile Read

Creates a surface based on the point contents of an ESRI ShapeFile. The ShapeFile type can be type 1 (points) or type 2 (polylines). The companion .DBF file is examined to supply the elevations of the features supplied in the .SHP file.

Keyboard Command: SurShpRed

🔗Procedure:

1. Open the drawing to generate the surface in.
2. Assign a coordinate system to the drawing if not already done.
3. Initiate this tool from the menu, ribbon or command above.
4. Click the ... to select a ShapeFile to use.
5. Optionally review (and show) the coordinate window data (left).
6. Select the items in the Elevation panel to determine the elevations (see note).
7. Choose the OK button to begin processing.

🔗Notes:

• When selecting the elevation field, it may be helpful to view the type, length and decimals information that changes when each item is selected. You are looking for a Floating type (number) for the elevation. You can also use Excel to help review the values, use its Open dialog and chose type (Dbase III *.DBF) to open .DBF file. Do not make changes and save, after determining the column close the data table.