tema Re: shp/shx conversion issue en AutoCAD for Mac Forum

shp/shx conversion issue

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 22:11:34 GMT

I recently downloaded a ZIP file from a GIS website containing dbf, prj, shp, and shx files. Following instructions I found online on how to open these, I used the "compile" command to open the shp, but when I attempted to do so, I received an error message, saying, "Can't open file." Since the next step dealt with an shx file the compile process was supposed to create, I attempted it with the shx file I originally downloaded. Using the "load" command, I selected the shx file and clicked "open." However, this just caused the file selection prompt to reappear, leading me to an infinite loop of selecting and opening files until I decided to click "cancel." Hoping that this had worked at least once, I used the "shape" command in an attempt to bring the file into AutoCAD, but when I typed the file name (both with and without the .shx at the end), I received an error message saying, "Shape not found." Since I'm encountering errors at every step in this process, where do I need to start, and how can I resolve this issue? Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Re: shp/shx conversion issue

maxim_k — Sat, 27 Jun 2015 08:07:11 GMT

Welcome to Autodesk Forums!

Hi,

Could you point me to the GIS site where you downloaded ZIP archive?
I think the main reason of the errors you get in AutoCAD is that you are confused with file formats.
AutoCAD uses its own SHP and SHX file formats - you can define shapes to use as drawing symbols and text font:
http://docs.autodesk.com/ACDMAC/2013/ENU/filesACGMac/GUID-922036EE-45E3-4808-AA9D-663240E92E6D.htm

But you downloaded ESRI Shapefiles - digital vector storage format for storing geometric location and associated attribute information.
That is why you was not able tp use AutoCADs COMPILE command and cannot load SHX file to AutoCAD - the files you downloaded are in another format which plain AutoCAD cannot handle.

Look also here:
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-2013-2014-2015-2016/importing-a-shape-file-from-arcgis-into-autocad-2015/td-p/5653754

Maxim

Re: shp/shx conversion issue

Anonymous — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 15:28:25 GMT

Thanks for your help!

The website is here. This page confirms that it's an ESRI shapefile, but it also stated that it was compatible with many types of CAD software, so I didn't realize there was a difference. Between the link you posted and a quick Google search, I found a number of ways (including AutoCAD Map 3D) to convert the files, but they all require Windows. Is there a program that is either Mac-compatible or online that will allow me to do the same thing? I even considered downloading a free trial of ArcGIS, but once again, it was only Windows compatible.

Thanks!

Re: shp/shx conversion issue

maxim_k — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 15:55:30 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

.... Is there a program that is either Mac-compatible or online that will allow me to do the same thing?....

Thanks!

Hi,

Maybe these:

https://itunes.apple.com/en/app/tymap/id670867302?mt=12

https://itunes.apple.com/en/app/easy-contour/id635826233?mt=12

Maxim