Convert SDTS point data to an ArcInfo Coverage

Summary

To add SDTS point data to ArcView, the SDTS data must first be converted to an ArcInfo coverage. This article describes how to use the SDTS Point to Arc utility to perform the conversion.

Procedure

1. Select Start > Programs > Esri > ArcView GIS 3.2a > SDTS Point to Arc.
2. Type the path to the SDTS data in the Input Prefix text box.
   
   To identify the input prefix, navigate to the directory where the SDTS data is stored. You should see a number of files with a DDF file extension. These file names all start with the same four characters. For example, if the SDTS files are stored in 'C:\avdata\Blchsdts\', type the following into the 'Input Prefix' text box:
   
   C:\avdata\Blchsdts\blch
3. Type a path in the 'Output Coverage' text box. For example,
   
   C:\avdata\blchcov.
   
4. Leave the 'Layer Name' text box blank.
   
5. Click 'OK'.
   
   A DOS window appears with the SDTS information in it.
   
6. Close the DOS window.
   
   

   Note:
   If the DOS window appears and disappears immediately, there was a problem during the conversion. You may have entered something incorrectly, the SDTS data may not have been formatted correctly, or you could be using the incorrect utility for the data. See Related Information.