Use colors from an ArcInfo shadeset in ArcView

Summary

ArcInfo shadesets contain fill patterns and colors. ArcView uses the pattern information when the shadeset is loaded into a fill palette, however, the color information is not used. If a colormap is created from the shadeset in ArcInfo, it is possible to use an Avenue script to convert the colors in the colormap to an ArcView color palette.

Procedure

1. Create a colormap from the ArcInfo shadeset.
   See: How To: Create a colormap from a shadeset using ArcInfo GRID
2. Start ArcView and open a new script window.
   A. Activate the Project window.
   B. Click the Scripts icon.
   C. Click New.
3. Paste the following code into the new script window.

   Code:
   f = FileDialog.Show ("*", "All Files", "Select ColorMap")
   
   If (f = nil) Then 
     Return nil
   End
   
   lf = linefile.Make(f.Getname.asFileName, #FILE_PERM_READ)
   lf.GoToEnd
   TheEnd = lf.Getpos
   lf.setpos(2)
   
   cList = {}
   
   for each l in 2 .. TheEnd
   
     valList = lf.ReadElt
     If ((valList = nil) or (valList = "")) Then
       Break
     End
     c = Color.Make
     r = valList.asList.Get(1).asNumber
     g = valList.asList.Get(2).asNumber
     b = valList.asList.Get(3).asNumber
     c.setRGBlist({r,g,b}) 
     cList.add(c)
   
   End
   
   aPalette = Palette.Make
   aPalette.SetList (#PALETTE_LIST_COLOR, SymbolList.FromList(cList))
   
   fnew = FileDialog.Put ("colormap.avp".asFileName, "avp", 
   "Save Color Palette")
   
   If (fnew = nil) Then 
     Return nil
   End
   
   aPalette.SaveToFile (#PALETTE_LIST_COLOR, fnew) 

4. Select Compile from the Script menu and click the Run button.
5. Select the colormap file.
6. Specify a new color palette file.
7. Select 'Show Symbol Window' from the Window Menu.
8. Click the Palette Manager button (the far right button).
9. Click the Load button.
10. Select the color palette created in step 5 and click OK.