Shape File Export from J-Field

Jon Gramm

Member
Greetings once again.

I have a question with regards to the exportation of a shape file for points collected in the field.
I have set all of the export parameters to what I believe is correct (several times with various different options) exported the file (several times, second verse same as the first), opened the file in a GIS software package and browsed the tabular data.
The structure of the .dbf is excellent, and informative, however, I failed to see any coordinates for the point locations.

Am I missing something?

I do not have a problem joining a text file to the shape file .dbf, but I would prefer to skip this step if possible.


Thanks!


Jon
 

Matt Johnson

Well-Known Member
5PLS
In shapefiles, the "main file" (.shp) contains the coordinates. The "dBase file" (.dbf) is used for attributes.
 

Jon Gramm

Member
Thank you Matt!

I am of the opinion that the coordinate values should included in the dbf for a number of reasons.
While it is not difficult to add the coordinate fields to the table, and update those fields with the intrinsic values, having the coordinates contained within the dbf file would simplify export to other file formats, and would aid in the analysis and querying of the positional data.
 

Matt Johnson

Well-Known Member
5PLS
What is exported now is the standard for Shapefile format. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shapefile

Do you have other software that writes coordinates in .dbf file?

If you are looking to import coordinates and attributes into other software why not use Text/CSV format which is very customizable and allows all the attributes and coordinates to be exported?
 

Jon Gramm

Member
Matt,

Pretty much every software package I use regularly that reads or writes a .dbf file, .mdb file, or shape file includes coordinates, and expects them.
This has been the case for me, for over twenty years.

While the .dbf does not contain the geometry of the feature, it does not preclude the inclusion of their coordinate values for points, or other information regarding position or dimensions, and the .dbf file includes all of the quality control information regarding the point which is something most of my clients like to see.

The Text/CSV file export is very good, I just wanted to eliminate a step of converting the file to a shape file, which would then be converted to another spatial file.

I do not have the unit in front of me at this time, but is it possible to export a Text/CSV file with all of the quality control information contained in the file along with the coordinates, and attributes? I did not see this when I was experimenting with the Text file export, but I was not looking for those fields at the time.

I do not mean to inundate you will a bunch of questions, and your help is truly appreciated!


Jon
 

Matt Johnson

Well-Known Member
5PLS
@Mikhail Drakin could probably add the coordinates in the dbf if this is commonly done by other software.

I do not have the unit in front of me at this time, but is it possible to export a Text/CSV file with all of the quality control information contained in the file along with the coordinates, and attributes?

Yes, pretty much every value that is stored is available to be exported with Text/CSV format.
 

Jon Gramm

Member
Matt,

Thank once again!

I will experiment with the Text/CSV file export.

In my experience, when I convert a Text/CSV file to a shape file in any of the packages that are commonly used, the coordinates are included in the .dbf file. The geometry is created from the fields you designate during the importation/conversion.
The other software packages I use for surveying will either automatically include the coordinates, or allow you to select them for inclusion in the .dbf file of the shape file package.

I do not wish to create any extra work for anyone with regards to the addition of the coordinates to the .dbf file.


Happy New Year!


Jon
 
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