Although a little off topic - AutoCAD Map 3D uses coordinates systems and supports importing of .tab and .mid/mif files.
-----Original Message----- From: Mats Elfström [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, July 18, 2005 8:59 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: MapInfo-L@lists.directionsmag.com Subject: MI-L Ang. MI-L Autocad and MI workspaces Hi Caroline! No, MapInfo cannot export a workspace to another file format. As often has been explained on this list, a MI workspace is no more than a script file, containing information on the state of a Mapinfo session. It lists which tables are open and how they are displayed and so on. By opening a workspace file, the session can be re-created, but just as long as those tables still are in place. Else, the workspace file will fail miserably. But could such a tool be created? The closest equivalent in AutoCad would probably be a dwg file with other files as reference files. Unless of course the client would like to have all tables merged into one drawing? Which in itself would be a challenge, if they want to retain attribute data at all. Then we have to consider object display, ether native, per table or perhaps even thematic. This is contained in the workspace file, but how should it be used when converted to a drawing? Also be aware that a MapInfo workspace can contain tab files from multiple projections and coordinate systems at one time. This is a natural ability of a GIS, and cannot be recreated in a CAD system, originating from a flat paper space concept. I'd like to quote Bill Thoen who very well described this dilemma: "The lack of embedded coordinate systems information is one reason why I think CAD should never be used for making maps. Not for any intrinsic flaw in its ability or accuracy, but becasue there's hardly anyone who uses it who has a clue about map projections and coordinate systems, and consequently a lot of tedious work goes into making drawings that are nearly useless as GIS data sources." Hear, hear. Hälsning / Best regards Mats.E ________________________ FB Engineering AB Södra Förstadsgatan 26 211 43 Malmö Tel: 040-660 25 50 Mobil: 0705-27 60 27 Fax: 040-660 25 99 [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.fbe.se "Caroline Hilton" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> 2005-07-18 14:37 Sänd svar till <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Till <MapInfo-L@lists.directionsmag.com> Kopia Ärende MI-L Autocad and MI workspaces Hi I have a client who is exporting MapInfo .TAB files to AutoCAD and wants to know if it is possible to export a MapInfo workspace to AutoCAD rather than the individual MapInfo tables? I would make a guess that it isn't possible, but as I'm not an AutoCAD user, if anyone's more knowledgeable could you let me know? Thanks in advance Caroline Hilton --------------------------------------------------------------------- List hosting provided by Directions Magazine | www.directionsmag.com | To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Message number: 17177 --------------------------------------------------------------------- List hosting provided by Directions Magazine | www.directionsmag.com | To unsubscribe, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] For additional commands, e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Message number: 17179
