Accessing Shape Files in GeoMedia

Figuring out how to display DGN, DWG, DXF or SHP files in GeoMedia for beginners without formal training can be difficult sometimes. In GeoMedia terminology, those external files are called as warehouses; and to display the data residing in those warehouses, you have to make a connection to it first. Once you are connected, you can then display and manipulate the data in a map window as legend entries. That's essentially it. Now, how do you get connected to a shape file warehouse? First, you have to create a warehouse configuration file first. Here are the detailed steps:

Define Warehouse Configuration File

1. On the Windows desktop, select Start | All Programs | GeoMedia | Utilities | Define Warehouse Configuration File.
   
   The Define Warehouse Configuration File dialog box appears.
   
   
2. In the Data server combo box, choose ArcView.
3. In the Warehouse information group, click Browse and select the ArcView workspace folder where you have stored your shape files, e.g. C:\Warehouses\ShapeFiles\.
4. If you have an existing Coordinate System file, click Browse and select your existing coordinate system file, e.g. C:\Warehouses\ShapeFiles\TransverseMercator.csf.
   
   If you do not have a coordinate system file, click Coordinate System File and define a new coordinate system file appropriate for your shape files in the Coordinate System Properties dialog box as shown below.
   
   
   The Define Warehouse Configuration File dialog box may look like the screen below.
   
   
   
5. In the Define Warehouse Configuration File dialog box, click Next.
   
   The Define Warehouse Configuration File keywords are displayed.
   
   
   
6. Click Finish.
   
   The warehouse configuration file is created.
   

Once you have a proper warehouse configuration file created for your shape files, you only need to make a connection to the shape files warehouse the next time. Here are the steps to make a connection in GeoMedia.

Connecting to a Shape Files Warehouse

1. In GeoMedia, select Warehouse | New Connection.
   
   The New Connection dialog box appears.
   
   
2. In the Connection type list, select ArcView.
3. In the Connection name field, type in a suitable connection name, e.g. ArcView Connection 1.
4. In the Connection description fields, type in a suitable description (this is optional), e.g. My Shape Files Connection.
5. In the ArcView workspace folder fields, click Browse and select the folder containing the shape files, e.g. C:\Warehouses\ShapeFiles\.
   
   The New Connection dialog box may look like the screen below.
   
   
   
6. Click OK.
   
   GeoMedia is now connected to the shape files warehouse.
   
   

Once you are connected to the warehouse, you can then display the Shape files in GeoMedia. For example, you can select Legend | Add Legend Entries and choose the features you want to display as shown below.