Output file

Output file

Figure 5.9: Set name of output coordinate file

Press Add and select the directory for the output file. If you already have an output file, that you want to continue to add objects to, then select this file. Otherwise, write the name of a new file, which will be created.

Shape files
Google Earth KML/KMZ files

Shape files

The Shape file format is used to import and export objects in Metria CityModeler. Shape consists of three files:

*.shp. The geometric coordinates.
*.shx. Indexes to the geometric entities in the *.shp file.
*.dbf. Properties of the geometric entities. Strings, integers and floating point numbers, describing each entity.

Starting with Metria CityModeler 5.1, only Shape files consisting of 3D polygons are supported.

A map projection file (.prj) is created if the output system is set to WGS-84. The projection file is required by some programs to view a shapefile, e.g. ArcGIS Explorer.

Objects with no coordinates are ignored and deleted. See more here.

Shape file names may not contain å, ä or ö.

If an existing Shape file is selected as output file, a summary of the file content is displayed below the list box. Click the link below the summary to view the entire dbf file content.

Always make security backups of your Shape files before using them in Metria CityModeler. You as a user of Metria CityModeler take the full responsibility for loss of data, read more here.

Hint: You can open any Shape to view the content of its dbf file. You can however only proceed if the Shape file contains 3D polygons. You can also drag a DBF file to the Metria CityModeler icon or select Metria CityModeler after right-cklicking a DBF file and chosing "Open with..." to view the content of any DBF file. You can permanently associate DBF files with Metria CityModeler by checking "Always use the selected program to open files of this type".

Figure 5.10: View of dbf file content

You can also view all attributes while you are measuring by choosing "Show object attributes..." in the Project menu.

Figure 5.11: Shapefile created in Metria CityModeler and imported in ArcGIS Exporer. The text box at the top right shows the meta data for the measured object. Shapefiles can only be imported to ArcGIS Explorer if the output projection is set to WGS-84. KMZ files can always be imported.

Google Earth KML/KMZ files

In addition, Metria CityModeler can export coordinates to KML (keyhole markup language) and compressed KMZ files. This is the file format used by the popular Google Earth program. It is saved in the same location as your Shape file. If you have Google Earth installed, you just have to double click the kml file to view the measured buildings in Google Earth. The colors you have chosen for viewing are also used as colors of the buildings in Google Earth. You can also launch Google Earth or any other program you have associated with KMZ files through MIME from Metria CityModeler. Metria CityModeler does not read KML files.

The attributes of each object are saved in the KMZ file, including the height of the building if the top and bottom are measured.