Map Presentation with GIS datasets within CAC software

The key to making maps with CAC software are the GIS data file formats the GIS-CAC plugins supports. GIS files are precise geographic data files that contain vector information and associated data attribute values. GIS-CAC plugins' ability to import such files into CAC software, while retaining both geographic vector and attribute information make it very easy to produce high quality maps. Indeed, all GIS data attributes and geographic parameters are maintained during import and are fully accessible and editable during map creation. Some classic industry leading GIS file formats, which should be imported, are:

• Arclnfo Export (.e00)
• Arclnfo Ungenerate (.lin, .pnt, or .pol)
• ArcView Shapefile (.shp + .dbf + .shx)
• AutoCAD (.dxf)
• Maplnfo(.mid + .mif)
• MicroStation DGN (.dgn)
• USGS DLG - SDTS (.ddf)
• MicroStation DGN
• DXF format
• ASCII point files
• Georeferenced JPEG and TIFF files
• Etc.

Data Considerations

When importing GIS data within your CAC software, there are a number of important considerations to keep in mind:

• When receiving data it is especially important to obtain as much metadata about the files as possible, especially concerning projections. Some information which should always accompany the data are:
  • Units of measure (meters, kilometers, miles etc.)
  • Projection name
  • State plane
  • Ellipsoid
  • Central meridian and central parallel
  • UTM zone
  • Latitude of true scale
  • Etc...
• If you receive projected data you must be aware that when importing projected data you should select the same units as were used in the projection process.