The software is shipped only with a couple of demo maps, because it is not doable to bundle it with all the most recent and detailed maps all over the world. To make sure almost any map can be loaded, a wide range of file formats is supported. This makes that Hydromagic can be used with the most common used map formats. Two types of maps are supported: vector maps and raster maps. The list below show some information on some raster map formats that are supported.
Vector maps are files that contain objects instead of image data. A typical example of an object can be a line, point, polyline, polygon and more. Sometimes these objects are also associated with some user data or a row in a data table. Because the vector objects are drawn at runtime, there is no limitation on the zoom level like raster maps. The following vector formats are supported:
You can import a vector map into your project by right clicking the "Maps" folder in the "Project Explorer" and selecting the "Import Map..." option from the context menu as shown in the screenshot below:
Right-click the "Maps" folder in "Project Explorer" to import a new map.
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ESRI shape files are vector maps often used to exchange data between GIS and CAD applications. Like DXF files, it contains objects rather then image information. An ESRI shape files consists out of 3 parts, a .shp, .dbf and .idx file. The database and index files are ignored by Hydromagic, it only uses the .shp file which contains the map objects. The .dbf database file is only used by GIS applications. Map calibration info is extracted from the shp file. When loading an ESRI shape file, you have to set the projection parameters by hand. |
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DXF stands for Drawing eXchange Format, and was developed by AutoDesk and is used in AutoCad software products. It is a vector format, this means the file contains objects rather then just image information ( pixels ). AutoCad DXF files are not designed to store geospational information, so after loading a DXF map, you will be asked to set the projection parameters. |
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DGN is a vector format used in Microstation CAD software. The software currently only supports the ISFF (Integraph Standard File Formats) DGN format. The newer V8 DGN format is not supported yet. In ISFF format, all objects are stored as blocks into a single file. Each Microstation design file starts with a TCB element, containing global information on the file, like scale, units and extends. |
