SHP Data - Feature Giving Error When Trying to Check In

[kwilson88PV7]

Using Civil 3D, I work with .shp data in my CAD environment, creating "parcels" that end up translated to an ESRI map.  Most of the time I can select a "feature" on the map, check it out, edit it and check it back in without incident.  Other times, I get an error in the data table and the feature will not "check in".  There is never any difference in my method and little to no explanation as to why I am getting an error.  When I "view errors in data table", this appears in the command line _+MapDataTable Enter the Feature Source Name <none>: Library://Prop_Parcels.FeatureSource Enter the Schema Name <none>: Default Enter the Class or Table Name <none>: PROP_PARCELS Enter the Layer Name <none>: Library://PROP_PARCELS.LayerDefinition
Command: nil

Sometimes the error just will not clear and I'm forced to export the layer data to SDF and recreate the shapefile, which is not ideal.  It happens often enough that this is an inefficient workflow and I would love to figure out what the issue is.

[ChicagoLooper]

Too vague, need more info. 

What is the data you are trying to edit?  Screenshot?

You are trying to over write the data with what? Upload screenshot. 

[kwilson88PV7]

Attached is a screen shot depicting the "features", which are the green solid hatched areas, each is selectable and upon select, right-click you have many options.  These are imported as data from a shape file which is used by our GIS specialist to populate a map.  Typically if I want to edit it, as in, change the shape by dragging the grips or edit the data in the table, I select the feature, right-click and choose "check out feature".  I then make my edits and when complete I select the "feature" again and select "check in feature".  Most of the time the "feature" is checked back in without issue and there is no error in the layer (highlighted to the right of the attached image you can see the layer in an error state).  Other times it seems to not like what I did and gives me the error.  Sometimes if I manipulate the feature again and try again it will check it in and the error will clear, or if I delete the feature and recreate it all together the error will clear, but not always.  There doesn't seem to be a clear indication why. 

[ChicagoLooper]

Hi @kwilson88PV7 

There are many things that can cause that error. Although you have adequately explained your frustration, you haven't provided enough detail about the shapefile itself and your workflow.

Are you checking-out an existing polygon? Or one you just created?

Also..........

What's the file size of the shp? And size of the dbf?

Does the PENCIL icon appear in the extreme left column of the Table when the feature is checked-out?
Does the PENCIL icon disappear after Check-IN? 

Can you upload an image of the shapefile when it's sitting in its Windows folder?

Can you share your shapefile for evaluation?

I'm guessing when I say, your uploaded image doesn't look like it's the original shapefile--it has been heavily edited and wonder whether any edits have adversely affected the data.  

[kwilson88PV7]

Are you checking-out an existing polygon? Or one you just created?

In this current instance, checking out an existing feature, but...at times I get errors in both situations.

Also..........

What's the file size of the shp? And size of the dbf? 

Does the PENCIL icon appear in the extreme left column of the Table when the feature is checked-out?

In this instance, I deleted the feature giving the error hoping to check in and clear the error and recreate the feature, but, when I checked in, the error remained, as did the instance of the feature in the data table, greyed out and showing no pencil icon.  I cannot clear that instance of the feature in the table, at least this time.  Other times when I do this and check in the instance in the table is gone and the error clears.  In other instances when the feature hasn't been deleted but checked out and edited, there is a pencil icon only after trying to check back in.

Does the PENCIL icon disappear after Check-IN? 

The pencil icon is gone as I said but the instance remains in the table, greyed out and the layer is still giving the error.

Can you upload an image of the shapefile when it's sitting in its Windows folder?

See above.

Can you share your shapefile for evaluation?

I cannot.

It sounds like there is no real reason and export as sdf and recreating the shape, which does clear the errors, is my only recourse.  A very very frustrating and inefficient workflow.

[ChicagoLooper]

Hi @kwilson88PV7 

Are you trying to redraw an existing shape?

Or are you trying to add a NEW shape to an existing shapefile?

If you are trying to change the outline of an existing parcel then CHECK-OUT the feature so you can 'edit' the existing outline. You you want to do an edit so it takes conforms to the new shape. In this case do NOT delete the existing parcel--just revise (edit) the existing outline. Be sure to check-in the feature after completing the edit. This might be (or might not be) tricky if the new outline has many vertices.

-----------------------------------------------

If you want to keep the existing parcels and want to ADD a brand new parcel then do this:

<<The following workflow assumes you already know how to add your shapefile to modelspace and that you are familiar with using the Map Task Pane.>>

To begin, change your workspace from Civil 3D to Planning and Analysis. Next, make a copy of your shapefile.

<<You should make a copy so you'll still have the original shapefile. If you make too many mistakes in your copied version, you can delete the copy and go back to the original.>>

Here's how to do add. Follow the steps.

1. Open a new drawing and ADD your existing Parcel shapefile ( refer to blue) as a Feature Data Object (FDO). Next, manually create a new parcel so you can add it to the existing shapefile. Use the AutoCAD pline command (polyline) to draw the new parcel. Make this new parcel a Closed Polygon (refer to red).

Image-1

2. In the Map task Pane, right-click the parcel shapefile=>New Feature from Geometry=>Continue to step #3.

Image-2

3. Continued from #2, using your cursor and click on the red polygon=>then YES to delete the red polygon. 

<<You won't need the red polygon after you have clicked on it.>>

Image-3

4. This indicates the new parcel (the NEW geometry) has been ADDED to the existing shapefile.

Image-4

<<After step #3, your new parcel will be NEW geometry and look like Image #4 and the NEW geometry has just been added to the existing shapefile.>> 

5. Next, you'll add the attributes manually. Open the Table View and over write each <Null> with the correct data. The PENCIL icon in the table's far left column indicates the shapefile has been CHECKED OUT. When your shapefile is Checked Out, it means the database is in EDIT mode. The shapefile must be checked out to perform any over writes. 

Image-5

<<If you don't see the Pencil icon in the left column, you'll need to click the Check OUT icon. Highlight (make blue) the new data row in the Table then go to the Ribbon=>Feature Edit tab=>Edit Set panel=>Check Out icon. The Pencil icon must appear on the left to perform over writes.>>

6. After filling in the correct values in the Table, highlight the row so it's blue=>Click the CHECK IN icon to save your new data in the Table (which is the shapefile's database). The Pencil icon will go away AFTER you have clicked Check In. 

Image-6

<<If you forget to Check-In your data and try to close down the drawing, you'll be asked whether you want to perform a Check-In prior to exiting. Don't forget to click Check-In. If you don't Check-In, then your changes won't be saved.>> 

[kwilson88PV7]

Thank you for the details and your time.  This is the perfect workflow in an ideal world, and an accurate description of my current workflow.  Most of the time it works, but sometimes it does not and upon check in, I get an error as previously described.

[ChicagoLooper]

@kwilson88PV7 

Agreed.

In a perfect world user error wouldn't exist. It'd be replaced by user happiness.

Happiness, however, isn't ubiquitous. Something is amiss and you've got to figure it out. Doing the same thing over-and-over again and getting the same results isn't productive.   

[kwilson88PV7]

...this is why I'm here, but thank you.

[ChicagoLooper]

Hi @kwilson88PV7 

Are you trying to export a plain vanilla AutoCAD object such as a polygonal parcel?

Is that parcel drawn using the pline (polyline) command? 

Is the parcel a CLOSED POLYGON or a POLYLINE?

If it's a parcel polygon, check the box as shown below on the Options Tab. 

Make sure you assign a projection (coordinate system) BEFORE you execute MAPEXPORT. You can turn on Bing Hybrid aerial imagery to verify whether your assigned CS is accurate. If you have 'properly' assigned a CS to the dwg file then Bing imagery will be consistent with your polygonal parcels. 

In the example above, my MODELSPACE has an assigned coordinate system named IL83-EF (Illinois State Plane, NAD83, East Zone, US feet). The MAPEXPORT to kml/kmz operation will automatically project the polygon to LL84 (WGS84 or EPSG 4326). I did NOT re-project from IL83-EF to EPSG 4326.

Do you have Google Earth Pro Maps? Don't confuse GE Pro with Google Map that you run from your browser, GE Pro is a stand-a-lone program not a web page. 

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

• To validate your exported kml, open (drag-and-drop) your newly exported kml onto Google Earth Pro map.
• If you don't have a 'properly' assigned a coordinate system in your drawing your exported kml (or kmz) won't land in the correct spot.
• The default color of the exported kml will be white. If you are inserting your kml into a GIS program with a white background change default white to a color such as GREEN so it shows up. Don't leave the polygon white!