Problem Description

Here is a procedure or work around that converts esri map files to Geopak Survey XYZ and  to GPK…..

Reason

GEOPAK does not directly read Esri files

Steps to Resolve

Importing GIS Monument data to the Geopak Survey .gpk File

Materials:

1. ESRI ArcMap connected to a database.[1]
2. Bentley Microstation
3. Geopak Survey
4. Microsoft Excel
5. Microsoft Notepad

Procedure:

Data Preparation:

1. Open ESRI ArcMap and connect to the database containing the coordinate data. This example uses an SDE feature class from the County server.
2. Place the Monument data in the data frame.
3. Highlight the Monument layer.
4. Right-click on the highlighted layer and select “Open Attribute Table”.
5. From the Attribute Table select “Options”> “Export” (To dbf file).
6.  Delete the data except for  Station_Na ,Northing, Easting, Elevation, and Object ID.
7. Organize the data according to Object ID, Northing, Easting, Elevation, followed by the addition of Feature Code, (We use CP.), and Station_Na. (Note, the object ID is the FID  value in the GIS.)
8. Delete the column names and delete the row, which contained the names.
9. Save and Close the csv file. (Note: Click “No” when prompted to preserve features!)
10. Open the csv file in Notepad.
11. Go to Search>Replace.
12. Replace CP, with CP;
13. Save and Close the file.

Microstation and Geopak:

1. Open Microstation and create a new project in Geopak Survey.
2. Use the following setting the SMD file:
3. Under Field Comments: When No Comment in Data: Print Feature Description
4. Under Data Source, choose ASCII XYZ.
5. Process the survey in the normal manner, storing the points in the gpk file.

 Converting the Data to English:

In Geopak Survey:

     6.     Go to Geometry > Geodetic conversions

1. Toggle the selection in the middle of the dialog box to  “file”.
2. Under “file” in the upper left corner of the dialog box, check “Output to GPK File”.
3. Select the gpk file.
4. Select the “Get Points from Navigator” button in the lower right part of the dialog box.
5. Select all points.
6. Use the following settings and “Convert”. Note, in NC use the U.S.   foot![2]

·         Points may be visualized in any Microstation design file by selecting all points in the Coordinate Geometry Navigator.

• Taylor the appearance using the SMD file settings.

                The control database is dynamic. This procedure provides the surveyor with access to the revisions as they occur. The data may be downloaded from the gpk file to data collectors. This eliminates human error from manually entering coordinates.