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Import and Export Data

Overview of Import and Export Functions

The import and export functions in Gemini Terrain read and write many different external formats.

Import and export functions

Example of import and export of external formats

File Import (Batch Import)

You can import base data using File - Import.

This is a shared import function for application layers and models, and the program automatically determines where the data should be placed.

This import is called batch import because it creates application layers or SFI model and imports data in a single operation. For application layers, you must also select which batch job to use. All formats that can be imported to application layers in this way have at least one batch job. For files with codes according to the SOSI standard, advanced batch jobs for map data and digital plans have been created. In these cases, multiple layers are created, and the data is distributed across them.

Drag and Drop

As an alternative to File - Import, we have support for drag and drop.

Drag and drop is an interactive method that allows you to select a file in the explorer or on the desktop, hold down the left mouse button, drag the file to the application layer or model list, and release the button to import the file there.

The program checks whether the file can be dropped in the list. If the list does not support the file format, it will not be possible to drop the file here.

Then the same happens as with File - Import. For import to application layers, the user must choose between available batch jobs.

Import via Properties Dialog

You can also import data via the properties dialog for application layers. While File - Import does not support all available formats, you will find all available import and export functions for external formats, survey books, and scanned data here.

Supported Formats

The following formats are supported for application layers:

Format Import Export
Kfi/cfi (Gemini Survey version 3) ✓ ✓
DXF ✓ ✓
DXF/DWG (ODA) ✓
Shape (Esri) ✓ ✓
SOSI ✓ ✓
SOSI GML ✓ ✓
Mapdat ✓ ✓
Quadri ✓
GMI (Gemini Survey version 5) ✓ ✓
KOF ✓ ✓
DGN (Version 7) ✓
DGN (Teigha) ✓
Geo (SBG) ✓

Define Custom Import Profiles

In the setup dialog for standard conversion, you can create custom import and export profiles.

The program has several predefined import profiles set up. These are used, among other things, by the templates in the batch import for application layers. The import profiles contain filters that control which information comes in from the data source. For example, the SOSI40_Bygninger profile only includes themes for object catalog BYGG.

A profile can contain information about:

  • Format
  • Filters for geometry and properties
  • Cross-reference table

Tip

If you want to import all data from an external file, use the STANDARD profile and change the format under format settings if necessary.

Info

The standard profiles for import and export are stored in the Sys folder in the file cnvprofiles.ini. Profiles created by the user are located either in the User folder (shared) or Ini folder (personal).

In addition, you can also create user-defined formats. These are stored similarly in the file cnvusrdef.ini.

Note

When you import data, the program checks the number of points in the external file. You will be asked to convert the points to a point cloud object if the file contains more than 10,000 points. This is done, for example, to better handle large amounts of data from laser scanning.

Detailed Description of Two Important Formats

Application layers have six different object types:

  1. Line
  2. Point
  3. Text
  4. Polygon
  5. Point cloud
  6. Triangle net

When you import data, external objects must be converted to Gemini objects. The tables below show which objects Gemini Terrain supports for some relevant formats.

SOSI

External Object Type Gemini Object Type
.TEKST Text
.PUNKT Point
.KURVE Line
.BUEP Line
.KLOTOIDE Line
.FLATE Line

Note

The table shows only for SOSI version 4.0 and newer. In older versions, SOSI had, among other things, an object type called .LINJE. Gemini Terrain also supports older versions.

DXF/DWG

External Object Type Gemini Object Type Note
Text Text
Point Point
Line Line
Mline Line
Polyline Line
2D polyline Line
3D polyline Line
Arc Line
Circle Line
Spline Line Split into small line elements
Ellipse Line Split into small line elements
Solid Line/polygon
Hatch Polygon
3D solid Triangle net
Polyfacemesh Triangle net
Body Triangle net
Face Polygon
Block reference Point/line/polygon Attributes to block references are included

Export Options for Application Layers

You can export data from application layers in three ways: via the context menu in the application layer list, via the properties dialog for application layers, or via File - Export.

Export via Context Menu

Export via the context menu allows you to export only selected objects in the application layer. The exception is metadata, which exports all attributes to the selected format.

The export menu contains the following options:

Export via Properties Dialog

Export via the properties dialog includes all data in the application layer. You cannot make selections when using this method.

Via the properties dialog, you can export to:

  • Standard formats...
    See Import
  • Survey book formats...
  • Laser scan formats (point cloud)...
  • Raster format...
  • Other formats...

Export via File - Export

This option exports what you see on the screen, including application layers, models, and other objects. You can export from both plan view and 3D view.

The export menu contains the following options, among others: