HOW TO

Convert coverage route features to polylineM shapefile features

Last Published: April 25, 2020

Summary

The ARCSHAPE command in ArcInfo Workstation does not create polylineM features when converting a coverage route system into a shapefile. Route features are converted to simple polylines and the measure values are not maintained.

Procedure

Several methods exist for creating shapefiles that contain polylineM features depending on the ArcGIS license available.

  • ArcInfo - Workstation

    1. Use the DEFINE LAYER command to create a defined layer from the route feature class .

    Code:
    Usage: LAYER DEFINE <defined_layer> COVERAGE <cover> <featureclass>

    Arc: layer define temp coverage testcov route.river

    2. Use the LAYEREXPORT command with the SHAPEFILE option to create a measured shapefile.

    Code:
    Usage: LAYEREXPORT <defined_layer> SHAPEFILE <shapefile>

    Arc: layerexport temp shapefile river.shp

  • ArcInfo - ArcToolbox or ArcCatalog

    Use the Coverage to Shapefile conversion tools to export the route feature class. The new shapefile will contain measured polyline features.

  • ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo - ArcMap

    1. Add the route feature class to the display.

    2. Right-click the route layer in the Table of Contents and select Data > Export Data.

    3. Create a new shapefile from features in this layer.

    4. Click OK.

Article ID:000004730

Software:
  • Legacy Products
  • ArcMap 8 x

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