I've been using the spatial data import for a while now, to load .shp files created in ArcView. It usually works fine, but some files seem to confuse MapPoint... the ones that contain two seperate areas that are in the same shape file. A good example of this is a shapefile of the zipcode 02532 in Boston MA. Opening it in ArcExplorer shows two seperate polygons of the same color... seperated by a canal that cutts through the middle of the zipcode. If I open it in MapPoint using the spatial data import, it gets messed up as it tries to connect the two seperate polygons and creates an overlapping area which is then considered not a part of the shape.

If that is not clear I can send a copy of the .shp file for anyone that is interested. I'm wondering if there is a way to prevent MapPoint from reading the file incorrectly... maybe I need to change how the shapefile is created... I'm really at a loss and any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

Tyler

The full source code is included with the data sample, you might try digging into it to see how you can rectify it. I'm curious if the two separate polygons are considered by the shape file to be part of the same object. Perhaps there is something from ESRI that can truly separate polygons into separate objects before trying the import into MapPoint.

Eric

Thanks Eric, it appears as though the two polygons are being interepted as the same object, because they are connected when I open in mappoint... but in ESRI they are not connected (but still the same color, because they are considered the same zipcode). If I can force it to seperate all polygons into seperate objects, that would perfect.... any ideas how to do this?

Problem solved; there is a way to "Explode Multi-part Features" in ArcMap. It's an option in the Advanced Tools or something like that (by default it isn't in the toolbar). You have to click on that after you "Start Editing"... then "Stop Editing" and export to a shape file. The new shape file will have seperate polygons for each object. It's seems that this process is required for places like Hawaii with islands where the orginal "Feature" in ArcMap may have multiple polygons. The exploding will make 1 polygon per feature. Hope this helps someone else!!!

Tyler

Very cool, thank you for following up! I keep meaning to go through my ArcMap book but never find time to do it

Eric

Hi, beginner question. Very beginner but I have to start somewhere. I have a need to draw response area bounderies within a city map, sort of like what mp calls territories. These teritories do not include city boundaries. I was expexting a way to draw a polygon on my map and shade it in for my purpose. Seems there must be a tool or a function just to draw a polygon on the map?

I have the same issue, but explode multipart does not solve my problem. I merged several small polygons to create larger polygons such as in a territory map. Once I explode them they becomes seperate polygons again and imports in a different color (given fewer thank the previous merge).

Example I merge 2000 polygons to create 1 polygon, the I explode the multiparts and wind up with 200 or so polygons. I need to perform this operation repeatedly.
Any suggestions.
Thanks.

Shapefiles do not contain color information. This is why the Spatial Data Import tool simply cycles through a number of colors.

Our own MPSuperShape product can also import shapes but it simply uses the same color for each shape. This might form a part of a working solution, especially as it supports other formats that include color information (eg. KML files and MapInfo MIF files).


Richard