Automatically create Layers from Excel, with drop down lists for some attributes

[Anonymous]

I am working with a new schema that includes a large number of defined layers.  The schema is defined in a spreadsheet, that includes:

1. Layer Name
2. Attributes
3. Attributes Name, data type, description, etc
4. Code lists, which applies to certain attributes to limit the available entries.  Some code lists apply to multiple layers (eg Status).

Is there a way to create the layers automatically so that it complies with the specifications of the spreadsheets.

Ideally I would be able to include the code lists also so there is a drop down list or similar to prompt the user to enter the correct data.

The data is all vector, and ultimately I would like to include topology rules as a check between them.  The data includes points, lines/polylines and polygons.  Currently I receive the data as a 3D cad file, and I need to convert this into GIS format for consumption into an Esri based corporate system.

[ChicagoLooper]

Based on your description, you can't do that in Map3D. 

You are describing an attribute domain or an ESRI-shapefile-type of rule that describes the allowable values of a field type. Think of a dropdown with a list of choices to pick from when entering a field. Technically, you are not 'creating layers,' you are limiting the options you can enter into an attribute field.

While Map3D is capable of reading, writing and analyzing shapefile data, it can also read, write and analyze an SDF file. You could consider an SDF to be Autodesk's version of ESRI's shapefile.

Autodesk has an equivalent to ESRI's attribute domain and it's known as an attribute constraint. In Map3D, you can create or edit the schema and make an attribute constraint (with dropdowns) for an SDF. You cannot, however, do this on shapefiles while using M3D. Reading, writing and analyzing shapefile yes, creating attribute domains on shapefiles no. 

If you wish to proceed with attribute constraints in Map3D, you'll need to use SDF files, not shapefile. And using SDF will require you to use Map3D exclusively because ESRI can't read SDF files.  

1-Task Pane=>Map Explorer Tab=>click the SDF=>click Schema Icon

2-Create Property=>Constraint Type=LIST=>Enter the list options for the dropdown.

3-Properties Palette with dropdown.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the response.

Is it possible to save multiple existing SHP's into SDF formats.  I tried exporting one to test it but recieved an error message:

Exporting to SDF Failed

-Library://Tanks.LayerDefinition

Operation is not supported

[ChicagoLooper]

Yes. You may save multiple shapefiles to SDF format.

Here are two options:

• Save each individual shapefile to a single SDF.
• Save multiple shapefiles to a single SDF. Even though your shapefile has multiple classes Map3D allows you to save them to a single SDF. Examples: You may save  a point shapefile and a line shapefile to a single SDF. You may save a line shapefile and polygon shapefile to a single SDF. You may save any combination of point shapefile(s), line shapefile(s) and polygon shapefile(s) to a single SDF.

To save shapefile to SDF, the general procedure is this:

1. Export the schema from the shapefile. (The export entails making a copy of the existing shapefile's schema, naming the copy and saving the copied schema in a folder.)
2. Create a brand new SDF then import the schema you saved in step 1. (By importing the schema you have created a 'placeholder' for data and geometry and at this point, the placeholder is completely empty. Think of Civil3D and creating a surface. You create a placeholder for a surface. It's not really a surface until you add a definition.)  
3. Use Bulk Copy procedure. (You will copy from the shapefile in step 1 and paste to the SDF you created in step 2. You want to copy because the schema in the shapefile will slide nicely into the empty placeholder (or empty schema holder) in the SDF. With imagination, you can consider a placeholder to be field names and schema to be data attributes. At this point, you decide whether you want to move all available schema to the SDF or just a portion of the schema.

Notes:

• Only Map3D, Civil3D and Infraworks can use SDF. Other programs do not understand the SDF format. 
• Performing a 'Save As' on an SDF and changing the extension to shp is NOT the proper way to create an SDF from a shapefile.  It's not possible to create shapefile it like that, in fact, it's laughable.
• You may use AutoCAD to draw points, lines and polygons and export them to SDF format. 
• The attribute data of the SDF doesn't occur automatically. You will need to create or copy data yourself.