Import Shapes into CadnaA

How to import Shapes from a GIS (Geographic Information System)

WithCadnaAit is possible to import files that have been created with softwareGis(Geographic Information System).

This allows the import of objects defined in the GIS (roadways, buildings, level curves,...) and their attributes (height, traffic density, number of residents,...).

3 types of file are required for importation:
  1. File.shp: with geographical information
  2. File.dbf: the database with the parameters/attributes of objects
  3. File.shx: index

The first thing we will need to do to import a Shape into CadnaA is to ensure that the GIS software with that Shape is closed.

Then we will run CadnaA and click onArchive>Import

We will select theTypeESRI Shape file, we will select the .shp file and click onOptions. The following window will open:



In this window you can assign Layers to each type of object. For example, if we are importing Buildings, the type of Building object we will assign the buildings layer* (click on the boxLayernext toBuildings):


We will pressOkand if it is disabled, we will activate the fieldWrite unknown attributes as Variables-Memo.

Finally, we will have to translate the name of the GIS software variables and the name of CadnaA variables with respect to certain parameters. For example, if in GIS software the number of residents of buildings has been assigned a variable name "Residents", we will have to assign that variable name to CadnaA belonging to the same parameter. In CadnaA the variable allocated to the number of residents is "EINW". We will therefore have to do the translation as follows:


If we go to the imported project and select the properties of a building we can see that the number of residents has also been imported: