DX Converters (dxconvert 4.0)

DX Format Conversion Project Version 4.0 - 2003

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This program provides the capability to convert files in various formats into a form that can be imported directly into DX. This version runs as an X/Motif application, which allows the user to select which format to convert. The individual converters include:

1. DEM : conversion of "standard" forms (1 degree and 7.5 minute) of USGS Digital Elevation Model datasets.
2. DLG : conversion of most standard forms of USGS Digital Line Graphs.
3. ERDAS : conversion of the ERDAS/LAN (GIS) Format.
4. MODFLOW : Note that because Modflow source code is publically available, it has undergone a wide variety of "local variations" so that its input/output structure is highly variable from version to version. Developers interested in conversion of other types of Modflow output should look at the DX general array importer or contact us at support@vizsolutions.com.
5. DXF : conversion of DXF (e.g., AutoCAD) file format.
6. ArcShape : this converts the ESRI ShapeFile file format.
7. ERDAS/IMG : this converts the ERDAS/Imagine file format.

The Arc/Info and Oracle converters are not included in this version due to the obselesence of the hooks into these two products.

Quick Start Guide

Installation

dxconvert is a binary program which you download from www.vizsoltuions.com. Once downloaded, you need to uncompress it with a program such as gzip. For most platforms, you can do this within an xterm issuing the command gzip -d dxconvert-platform.gz. Once uncompressed, you'd be best off renaming it to just dxconvert. You must then move it to a directory which is in your execution path such as /usr/local/bin. To do this, issue a command such as mv dxconvert /usr/local/bin/. Now you can test to see if it works--restart your xterm and then issue the command dxconvert and make sure the dxconvert interface appears. If you need further assistance, you can purchase technical support from vizsolutions.com from our on-line store.

Using as a Stand Alone Program

Launch the converters by typing dxconvert from the command line. The user interface opens showing the options available. Click on the button representing the data set to be converted.

Using Within OpenDX

To use dxconvert directly within OpenDX, make sure that it runs from the command line, start up opendx, and then within an Import module, put "!dxconvert -q" in for the Import name. When the network executes, dxconvert will launch and allow you to choose the data file to import.

Command Line Options

dxconvert can run without the graphical user interface and do direct conversion using the following flags:

-dem Start the DEM converter.
-dlg Start the DLG converter.
-lan Start the ERDAS converter.
-mod Start the MODLFOW converter.
-shape Start the SHAPEFILE converter.
-dxf Start the DXF converter.
-imagine Start the ERDAS IMAGINE converter.

other flags:

-p Causes dxconvert to be persistent and leave any dxconvert file dialog open for multiple conversions. This is primarily useful when using the program to convert more than one file of each type. The user must press the cancel button of the file dialog box in order to quit these types of conversion.

-q Sets dxconvert to use stdout as output and makes it quit as soon as the conversion takes place. This is useful when dxconvert is used as a filter directly within OpenDX. For example, the following import string will launch dxconvert and then send its output into the Import module "!dxconvert -q".

-s Makes dxconvert to be started with standard output as the default output type.

-dir <path> Specify the default path for the graphical version of the file open and save boxes.

You can view more information about the original version of conv at the University of Montana DX web site.