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Converting Features

Contents

These commands convert one kind of model feature into another: arc pipes into polyline pipes, the Color Legend into User Text, and background lines from a DXF or shapefile image into pipe or customer service features. Conversions from a background image require that image to already be attached before the command is available, and converted background lines become real, editable model features rather than static graphics.

GDI Commands

Convert An Arc Pipe To A Polyline Pipe

Converts a single arc-type pipe feature to a polyline-type pipe feature.

  1. Select the Convert Arc Pipe To Polyline Pipe item from the GDI Command List.
  2. At the Select An Arc Pipe prompt, left-click an arc-type pipe.
  3. The selected pipe is converted to a polyline-type pipe.

This command can be executed by selecting the Convert Arc Pipe To Polyline Pipe item from the GDI Command List or by typing CONVERTARC or ARC2POLY on the GDI Command Line and pressing Enter.

Notes

  • Some editing tools in GASWorkS cannot be used on arc-type pipes. Converting arc pipes to polyline pipes allows the use of edit commands reserved for non-arc pipes while preserving the original shape.
  • Arc pipes are converted to polyline pipes by placing a vertex at each degree of curvature along the arc path and drawing a straight line between each pair of vertices.
  • To convert every arc pipe in the model at once, use the Convert All Arc Pipes To Polyline Pipes command.

Convert All Arc Pipes To Polyline Pipes

Converts every arc-type pipe feature in the model to a polyline-type pipe feature in a single pass.

  1. Select the Convert All Arc Pipes To Polyline Pipes item from the GDI Command List.
  2. A message may report how many pipes were updated. Click OK to clear it.

This command can be executed by selecting the Convert All Arc Pipes To Polyline Pipes item from the GDI Command List or by typing CONVERTALLARCS or ALLARC2POLY on the GDI Command Line and pressing Enter.

Notes

  • Pipes are converted using the same method as the single-pipe command — a vertex is placed at each degree of curvature along each arc path, with straight lines drawn between the vertices, preserving the original shapes.
  • To convert one arc pipe at a time instead, use the Convert Arc Pipe To Polyline Pipe command.

Convert Color Legend To User Text

Converts the Color Legend into a group of User Text features.

  1. Select the Convert Color Legend To User Text item from the GDI Command List. If a Color Legend Text already exists, choose whether to delete it, keep it and add a second legend, or cancel.
  2. At the Select Location For Color Legend Text prompt, left-click a point for the upper-left corner of the legend.
  3. At the Text Rotation prompt, left-click a point to set the legend text’s orientation.
  4. At the Text Height prompt, type a value in the default Prompted Length Values units, or set it by clicking a point in the GDI Display. The Color Legend Text is displayed at the selected location.

This command can be executed by selecting the Convert Color Legend To User Text item from the GDI Command List or by typing CONVERTCOLORLEGEND or CONVERTCL on the GDI Command Line and pressing Enter.

Notes

  • The Color Legend Text is treated as a group of features and can be manipulated by the associated Group commands.
  • If a second Color Legend Text is created, the first Color Legend Text is ungrouped into individual User Text features. The first Color Legend Text can then be manipulated by the associated User Text commands.
  • A color range can be created from the Color Display Settings screen.
  • To change the location of a Color Legend Text, use the Move Color Legend Text command. To remove the Color Legend Text from the model, use the Delete Color Legend Text command.

Convert A DXF Line To A Pipe

Converts a line displayed in an attached DXF background image to a pipe feature.

  1. Select the Convert DXF Line To Pipe item from the GDI Command List.
  2. At the Select A DXF Line prompt, left-click the desired DXF line. Continue selecting additional lines the same way, or right-click (or press “E”) to end selection. Left-click a selected line again to unselect it.
  3. Confirm the conversion when prompted to convert all of the highlighted DXF lines.
  4. If new nodes are created and Prompt For Data During New Feature Entry is enabled, accept or edit the Node Data and Pipe Data in the Data Panel as they’re displayed.

This command can be executed by selecting the Convert DXF Line To Pipe item from the GDI Command List or by typing CONVERTDXF or DXF2PIPE on the GDI Command Line and pressing Enter.

Notes

  • Only Arc, Line, and Polyline type background entities can be converted to a pipe feature.
  • A DXF background image must be attached to the model before this command can be used.

Convert A Shapefile Line To A Pipe

Converts a line displayed in an attached shapefile (SHP) background image to a pipe feature.

  1. Select the Convert Shapefile Line To Pipe item from the GDI Command List.
  2. At the Select A SHP Line prompt, left-click the desired SHP line. Continue selecting additional lines the same way, or right-click (or press “E”) to end selection. Left-click a selected line again to unselect it.
  3. Confirm the conversion when prompted to convert all of the highlighted SHP lines.
  4. If new nodes are created and Prompt For Data During New Feature Entry is enabled, accept or edit the Node Data and Pipe Data in the Data Panel as they’re displayed.

This command can be executed by selecting the Convert Shapefile Line To Pipe item from the GDI Command List or by typing CONVERTSHP or SHP2PIPE on the GDI Command Line and pressing Enter.

Notes

  • Only Arc, Line, and Polyline type background entities can be converted to a pipe feature.
  • A SHP background image must be attached to the model before this command can be used.

Convert Service Lines To Customers

Converts DXF background lines assigned to a specified Facility Type into customer symbols and service lines, all at once.

  1. Select the Convert Service Lines To Customers item from the GDI Command List.
  2. At the Facility Type Associated With Service Lines prompt, select the desired item from the GDI Prompt List, then right-click.
  3. At the Fuzzy Tolerance prompt, type a value in the default Prompted Length Values units and press Enter.
  4. A message may report when the process is complete. Click OK to clear it.

This command can be executed by selecting the Convert Service Lines To Customers item from the GDI Command List or by typing CONVERTSERVICE or SERVICE2CUST on the GDI Command Line and pressing Enter.

Notes

  • A Facility Type must be “Active” to convert DXF service lines to that type. The “Active” setting can be changed using the Facility Settings item from the Edit menu.

Notes & Considerations

  • Fuzzy Tolerance and text/legend dimension values are entered in the default Prompted Length Values dimensional units, which can be changed on the Units data tab of the User Options & Settings screen (Utilities menu).
  • Converting DXF or SHP lines can create new nodes; if the Prompt For Data During New Feature Entry environment option is selected, review the Node Data and Pipe Data in the Data Panel as each is displayed.
  • If the Allow Undo Of Data/Graphic Changes environment option is selected, click the Undo icon to restore the last data or graphic change. To access the option, select the Options & Settings item from the Utilities menu, then select the Environment data tab.

See Also

  • Adding Pipes & Nodes
  • Example: Adding Background Images (BMP, DXF, SHP)
  • Colors, Symbols, Sizes & Tool Palette
  • Display & Visibility Settings
  • Moving Text, Graphics, Legends & Views
  • Deleting Graphics, Text, Tables & Views
  • Example: Color-Coding & Display Limits
  • Example: Selecting, Moving & Viewing Features
  • Example: GDI Coordinates, Commands & Grips
  • GDI Utilities: Undo, Redo, Cancel & Housekeeping

FAQ

  • Why would I convert an arc pipe to a polyline pipe?

    Some GASWorkS editing tools can’t be used on arc-type pipes. Converting to a polyline pipe unlocks those commands while keeping the original shape — GASWorkS places a vertex at each degree of curvature along the arc and connects them with straight segments.

  • What’s the difference between converting one arc pipe and converting all of them?
    Convert An Arc Pipe To A Polyline Pipe lets you pick a single arc pipe to convert. Convert All Arc Pipes To Polyline Pipes runs the same conversion across every arc-type pipe in the model in one pass, and reports how many pipes were updated.
  • What kinds of background entities can be converted into a pipe feature?
    Only Arc, Line, and Polyline type entities — from either a DXF or a shapefile (SHP) background image. Other entity types in the background image can’t be converted directly to a pipe.
  • Do I need anything set up before I can convert DXF service lines to customers?
    Yes — the Facility Type you’re converting to must be set to “Active.” You can check or change that under Facility Settings in the Edit menu. You’ll also need a DXF background image with the service lines already attached.
  • What happens to the Color Legend when I convert it to User Text?
    It becomes a group of individual User Text features that you can manipulate with the standard User Text and Group commands, rather than the fixed Color Legend format. If a Color Legend Text already exists, you’ll be asked whether to delete it, keep it alongside the new one, or cancel.
  • I converted several DXF lines to pipes — why did it also ask me about node data?
    Converting a line can create new nodes at its endpoints. If the Prompt For Data During New Feature Entry option is turned on, GASWorkS shows the Node Data (and Pipe Data) for each new feature in the Data Panel so you can review or adjust the defaults before moving on.

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Updated on July 23, 2026

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