ArcMap

Import From Interchange File

Summary

Converts an ArcInfo Workstation export interchange file.

An ArcInfo Workstation interchange file can be used to transport coverages; INFO tables; text files, such as AML macros; and other ArcInfo Workstation files between various machine types. An interchange file contains all coverage information and appropriate INFO table information in a fixed-length ASCII format.

There are many ways to use Import From Interchange. One way is to transport a coverage and its associated INFO tables. Each coverage file and its INFO tables are read from the interchange file into an output coverage. This is done by using the keyword COVER for the first argument. Another way is to transfer an INFO table. In this case, any INFO path name/user name can be used to specify the name of the output INFO table. This option is invoked by using the keyword INFO for the first argument. A third way is to use Import with the TEXT option to transfer key files, AML macros, and other text files.

If multiple volumes are provided by Export To Interchange, the ASCII interchange file name for Import from Interchange must be in the format <interchange_file>.E00 through <interchange_file>.Enn, where nn is the last volume ID. Even if only one volume is produced, this file name must have the .E00 extension.

Usage

  • The AUTO option determines what is contained in an import file, then imports it correctly.

  • Knowledge Base article 21052includes a list of file naming limitations for coverages.

  • In ModelBuilder, you should specify the feature type of the data being imported. The AUTO option does not set the properties of the output variable in the model, because the data type is unknown until the process is executed. For example, if the .e00 file contains a coverage, set the feature type to COVER so the output variable may be connected to any other process that requires a coverage as input.

  • IMPORT reads any export file that has been fully or partially compressed as well as decompressed. IMPORT automatically recognizes whether the export file is compressed.

  • For the COVER option, all INFO data files saved in the interchange file, whose names contain the coverage name prior to the last period in the INFO data file name, are written to the workspace INFO database for the output coverage.

  • Any INFO path name/user name can be specified as the output data file when the INFO option is used. However, the specified INFO directory must exist prior to using IMPORT.

  • The STACK option will work in one of two ways. If the interchange file was made by the EXPORT command with the STACK option, then only the stack directory will be re-created. None of the grids associated with the stack will be re-created. If the interchange file was made by the EXPORT command with the STACKALL option, then both the stack directory and the grids associated with that stack are re-created. Only the grids that do not presently exist in the workspace will be re-created.

  • ArcCatalog doesn't show .e00 files by default, but it is easy to configure ArcCatalog to show them. From the Customize pull-down menu, choose the ArcCatalog Options command, click the File Types tab, then click the New Type button. In the dialog that appears, type e00 into the File extension field (be sure to use zeros, not the letter O), type a description such as Export File into the Description of type field, click Change Icon and choose an icon, then click OK. Click OK on the ArcCatalog Options dialog box. ArcCatalog will refresh and show you .e00 files.

Syntax

Import_arc (feature_type, interchange_file, out_dataset)
ParameterExplanationData Type
feature_type

The type of file to be imported. Auto is the default option.

  • AUTO —
  • COVER —
  • FONT —
  • GRID —
  • INFO —
  • LINESET —
  • PLOT —
  • MAP —
  • MARKERSET —
  • SHADESET —
  • STACK —
  • TEXT —
  • TEXTSET —
  • TIN —
String
interchange_file

The prefix name of the ArcInfo Workstation interchange file to be converted. A volume ID of .e00, .e01, and so on, will always be appended to the given interchange_file to specify the file or files to be imported.

File
out_dataset

The name of the output dataset.

Data Element

Code sample

Import example (stand-alone script)

The following stand-alone script demonstrates how to import a coverage from an ArcInfo Workstation interchange file.

# Name: Import_Example.py
# Description: Imports from E00 format to a coverage
# Requirements: ArcInfo Workstation

# Import system modules
import arcpy
from arcpy import env

# Set environment settings
env.workspace = "C:/data"

# Set local variables
featureType = "COVER"
interchangeFile = "citylim.e00"
outDataset = "C:/output/citylimit"

# Execute Import
arcpy.Import_arc(featureType, interchangeFile, outDataset)

Environments

Licensing information

  • ArcGIS Desktop Basic: No
  • ArcGIS Desktop Standard: No
  • ArcGIS Desktop Advanced: Requires ArcInfo Workstation installed

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