Topic: GIS for Dummies

[kevinh]

We are putting a survey proposal together (as a sub-contractor) and it specifically states that all data collected shall be delivered in ESRI-Arc/Info 9.2 format.  Problem here is that we are very new to GIS and most in the office probably know enough to get us in trouble.

Can Civil 3D export to this format through MAP? Do we need to purchase other software?  We do own Global Mapper and Carlson software also, maybe one of those would work?

It also talks about collecting the graphic and non-graphic in the format defined by the "CADD/GID Technology Center's Spatial Data Standards for Facilities, Infrastructure and Environment (SDSFIE) release 2.6.  Anyone have any experience with this standard?

Thanks for your help.

[mjfarrell]

Map can export to ESRI, I will need to check further for the exact specification on the output however, you should be safe to continue with the proposal.  And then we should chat further.

[mjfarrell]

Map can export to ESRI, I will need to check further for the exact specification on the output however, you should be safe to continue with the proposal.  And then we should chat further.

OK, with C3D 2009, which is also MAP3D 2009, the export formats are as follows:

AutoCAD Map 3D supports Arc/INFO version 7.2, 7.3, and 8.x, and E00.


AutoCAD Map 3D supports up to ArcView version 3.2 and 8.x.

You can export data from your DWG to a connected ESRI ArcSDE database.


In short it would sound like one might have a legitimate protest over this request for bids; as it seems to be targeting ONLY firms that have ARC-something or ESRI-other in it's most current iteration in order to comply with the request.
I believe that this particular practice is illegal in most states.
As this data format is only supported by those products.  I can not speak to version compatibility with C3D2010 at this time.
You will need to verify the output version support of Global Mapper, as I see nothing specific in that regards on their web site.

[jugglerbri]

In short it would sound like one might have a legitimate protest over this request for bids; as it seems to be targeting ONLY firms that have ARC-something or ESRI-other in it's most current iteration in order to comply with the request.
I believe that this particular practice is illegal in most states.
As this data format is only supported by those products.  I can not speak to version compatibility with C3D2010 at this time.
You will need to verify the output version support of Global Mapper, as I see nothing specific in that regards on their web site.

Michael, let me first put the caveat out that I really don't know what I'm talking about, just sounds like a good topic for discussion and perhaps I'll end up educating myself a bit.

I would be greatly surprised to see something like that illegal.  If I own a company and we use XYZ software and I hire someone to get data for me, I would expect it to work in XYZ software.  If they don't provide it to me in XYZ format, I would have to pay someone to convert it to XYZ format.  Now, I can see it being illegal (perhaps) to specify that they have to USE XYZ software to get me what I need.

[mjfarrell]

Your point is valid, however they may be creating that situation without specifically stating that XYZ must be used; should it prove that only XYZ can produce the format being requested.

[Spike Wilbury]

In short it would sound like one might have a legitimate protest over this request for bids; as it seems to be targeting ONLY firms that have ARC-something or ESRI-other in it's most current iteration in order to comply with the request.
I believe that this particular practice is illegal in most states.
As this data format is only supported by those products.  I can not speak to version compatibility with C3D2010 at this time.
You will need to verify the output version support of Global Mapper, as I see nothing specific in that regards on their web site.

Michael, let me first put the caveat out that I really don't know what I'm talking about, just sounds like a good topic for discussion and perhaps I'll end up educating myself a bit.

I would be greatly surprised to see something like that illegal.  If I own a company and we use XYZ software and I hire someone to get data for me, I would expect it to work in XYZ software.  If they don't provide it to me in XYZ format, I would have to pay someone to convert it to XYZ format.  Now, I can see it being illegal (perhaps) to specify that they have to USE XYZ software to get me what I need.

... and my comment, if it is related in someway....

I worked in the past for a traffic engineer company (UMA), and all the caltrans jobs were required to be done using (back then) intergraph microstation 4.0 - have no idea how it is today

[mjfarrell]

Most DOT, DOD, and DOE jobs are still required to be submitted in intergraph format; however they get around the issue at hand by not specifying that the work be done in intergraph, just that it be delivered that way.  Most firms tire of the conversion challenges an simply rollover and buy a seat of that product; should they find themselves doing that work. 

[SomeCallMeDave]

I don't know if this will/should have any bearing on the conversation, but I thought I would mention it

http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcgis-for-autocad/index.html

Please ignore if not appropriate.

[mjfarrell]

K-Dawg,

This just in from Global Mapper Support:

Michael,

Yes, for example the Shapefile export from Global Mapper should be compatible with that version of Arc/Info. For raster and elevation data, formats like GeoTIFF and Arc ASCII Grid should also work, although I believe you have to have the appropriate Arc/Info add-ons to use them.

Thanks,

Mike
Global Mapper Support
support@globalmapper.com

That and with what David posted you should be golden.  With all the rest I am happy to be of assistance.

[Mark]

In short it would sound like one might have a legitimate protest over this request for bids; as it seems to be targeting ONLY firms that have ARC-something or ESRI-other in it's most current iteration in order to comply with the request.

I not so sure about that. If you want the work then you pay the price. Perhaps adjusting your bid appropriately.

I believe that this particular practice is illegal in most states.

what?? Where do you find that info?

[mjfarrell]

I believe that this particular practice is illegal in most states.

[/quote]


I don't know where or how I came to believe this....

[Bob Garner]

In government contracts, were not allowed to specify brand names.  Free trade kind of stuff with the public's money. 

[CHulse]

I doesn't look to me that they require any specific format at all - they just say the data needs to be compatible with ArcINFO 9.2. ArcINFO can use MANY different data types (including properly geo-referenced DWGs) and they are only stating that the data needs to cconform to the stated standard. Unfortunately, I cannot speak to that standard. I would warn though that there may be other tabular data needed to fulfill the requirement as thet is the whole point with GIS - a database of tabulr data linked to geographic data (survey linework, etc).

My $.02...

[mjfarrell]

They have this site all set up for it: http://www.sdsfie.org/SDSFIEHome/tabid/36/Default.aspx