ArcView GIS 3.2 Now Available

ArcView GIS 3.2 is now available. ArcView GIS 3.2 provides numerous quality improvements as well as new features, including a projection utility for shapefiles; enhanced SDE and ODBC database access; an update for the Report Writer extension, including Crystal Reports Version 7; new data readers and converters; and new and updated data for the Esri Data & Maps CDs.

An enhanced CADReader extension to support AutoCAD 2000 (Release 15) drawing files will also be available to ArcView GIS 3.2 users as soon as possible for no additional charge.

ArcView GIS Projection Utility

ArcView GIS 3.2 includes a new utility for projecting shapefiles into a common coordinate system. The projection utility supports a number of projections and datum conversions including NAD27 to NAD83. A wizard-driven interface allows the user to select the data source to be projected, select the new projection, adjust or accept the default projection parameters, and specify the output data source name. A new shapefile and a new projection (.prj) file that contains information about the resulting projection parameters for the new shapefile are created.

Database Access Version 2.0

Database Access Version 2.0 has been enhanced to provide a unified access interface to ODBC-compliant databases as well as SDE databases.

ODBC Database Access--Database Access Version 2.0 supports connecting to any ODBC-compliant database. Once connected to an ODBC database, the user can create database tables or initiate scripts that perform actions on the data in the database. Database Access provides a consistent and robust wizard-driven interface alternative to SQL Connect for working with ODBC-compliant databases and SDE databases. Database Access Version 2.0 can

• Configure a data source on the fly.
• Dynamically load database query results, eliminating the need for temporary scratch files.
• Retrieve and modify an SQL statement.
• Add, edit, and delete records in the database using record sets.
• Use included Avenue requests to support transaction blocks.
• Utilize database-locking mechanisms.
• Allow database commands to be initiated from ArcView GIS using Avenue.
• Retrieve a list of tables from the database, based on owner name and access privileges.
• Support multiple connection requests.
• Improve ODBC error handling through new error retrieval class.

SDE Database Access--Database Access Version 2.0 also provides more efficient data access for SDE databases. Database Access Version 2.0 supports

• Association between a database theme's selection and a database table's selection
• More selection tools enabled on database tables (both SDE and ODBC)
• More table GUI controls enabled for database tables (both SDE and ODBC)

Database Access Version 2.0 allows for a dynamic link between the records in a database table and the geographic features in a database theme. This means that a selection made on the theme modifies the selection displayed in the database table. Conversely, a selection made on the database table modifies the selection displayed in the database theme.

In addition to selection support, selection-enabled database tables enable the display of all records returned from a query. Database tables are now managed in memory and not cached to disk. This is accomplished by maintaining a subset of records in memory and adjusting the subset as the table is scrolled.

Report Writer Extension-Seagate Crystal Reports

ArcView GIS 3.2 includes an upgrade from Seagate Crystal Reports Version 6.0 to Version 7.0. Advantages of Version 7.0 include faster reporting and new wizards for advanced reporting.

Data Integration Utilities

The following new data integration utilities are included with ArcView GIS 3.2:

DXF Export--A new data conversion utility providing shape to DXF output is included.

SDTS Data Import--ArcView GIS 3.2 includes a new data import utility that imports SDTS raster and point data. Esri GRID files and ArcView GIS point shapefiles are created, respectively.

CADReader--The CADReader is compatible with AutoCAD 2000 DWG files (when available).

New Sample Utilities and Extensions

The following new sample data integration utilities and extensions are included with the sample utilities distributed with ArcView GIS.

Digest (ASRP/USRP)--This sample extension provides direct read support for raster data compliant with DIGEST Annex A, a format primarily used by international defense and military agencies. The reader georeferences DIGEST images. There are two profiles: Arc Standard Raster Product (ASRP), produced by the UK Mil Survey, and UTM/Universe Polar Stereographic (UPS) (USRP), produced by the French Defense Mapping Agency. The sample extension supports ASRP 1.1 and 1.2 and USRP 1.2 and 1.3.

MGRS Coordinate Display--This sample extension provides interactive display of coordinates on the screen in the Military Grid Reference System (MGRS). MGRS is a coordinate system widely used in defense for designating the location of points of interest. The extension reads source data in decimal degrees, converts the coordinates to MGRS, and displays the MGRS coordinates in a dialog box in real time. The extension converts MGRS coordinates to UTM/UPS and latitude/longitude. As an option, the user can save the UTM/UPS and latitude/longitude coordinates in a separate file. The utility also generates graticules within an MGRS zone for WGS84.

S-57 Data Converter--The S-57 data format is defined in the International Hydrographic Organization's Special Publication S-57. This format was formerly referred to as DX-90. S-57 is object-oriented vector data stored in binary format. This sample extension converts the converted binary S-57 (ENC) data to ArcView GIS shapefiles. The extension supports all data types from S-57: spatial objects (connected nodes, isolated nodes, edges, and faces) and feature objects (point, node, line, area, and composite).

RPF Indexer--This sample extension uses the geographics extent of each raster product format (RPF) data set and generates a shapefile that can be used as an index theme for RPF image formats. The index theme helps the user choose the images of interest for easier display. The user selects a block or draws a box on the index theme in the View document to display the corresponding images. The user can click on the block (or user-drawn box) again and the images will undraw.

Esri Data & Maps

Updated Esri Data & Maps CDs are included with ArcView GIS 3.2. Data updates include

• 1999 five-digit ZIP Code polygons and points
• GDT Dynamap/2000 version 9.0 updated Major Roads file
• GDT Dynamap/2000 version 9.0 updated Major Water file
• GDT Dynamap/2000 version 9.0 updated landmark data
• Large area landmarks
• Parks
• Transportation terminals
• Retail centers
• Recreation areas
• Institutions
• Airports
• Area code boundaries
• Municipal boundaries from census places, 1995
• World Wildlife Fund Conservation Science program world ecological regions
• WorldSat International, Inc., 4-km resolution imagery of the earth (TIFF)

To purchase online visit www.esri.com/gisstore. To order by telephone, call 1-800-447-9778. Or contact your nearest Esri office or your local reseller.

ArcNews home page