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Exporting to DXF, KML & Shapefiles

Contents

These routines export GASWorkS model data to graphic and GIS exchange formats: DXF files for CAD packages such as AutoCAD and Microstation, KML files for mapping programs such as Google Earth, and ESRI shapefiles (customer, node, or pipe) for GIS applications. All three are run from the Export item in the Utilities menu, and each shows its progress in the Export Log. Each routine requires a model to be open with the GDI Window displayed before starting.

GDI Commands

Export A DXF File

Model data from GASWorkS can be exported to a DXF file.

  1. From the Utilities menu, select the Export item.
  2. The Export screen is displayed. Select the “DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) File” item from the File Type list. Click the Export button.
  3. The Save screen is displayed with a default File name and location. Either accept the default File name and location or change it. Click the Save button.
    Note: If using an existing file, a message will be displayed asking whether to overwrite the file; respond appropriately.
  4. The DXF Export Setting screen is displayed. Review the settings. When finished, click the Continue button.
  5. The Export screen is displayed again. The Export Log section will display the status of the Export routine. When the routine is complete, click the Close button.

This routine is run by selecting the Export item from the Utilities menu and choosing the DXF file type; it has no GDI Command Line alias.

Notes

  • The DXF Export routine creates a drawing exchange format (DXF) file. Once created, the DXF file can be imported or opened by CAD and graphics packages such as AutoCAD and Microstation.
  • On the General data tab of the DXF Export Settings screen is a Use Template File option. GASWorkS provides a default template file in the “GASWorkS 11\support\cad” folder. It is recommended to use this template file when exporting a DXF file for use in a CAD program, such as AutoCAD. However, a DXF file exported with this template cannot be imported back into GASWorkS.

Export A KML File

Model data from GASWorkS can be exported to a KML file.

  1. From the Utilities menu, select the Export item.
  2. The Export screen is displayed. Select the “KML (Keyhole Markup Language) File” item from the File Type list. Click the Export button.
  3. The Save screen is displayed with a default File name and location. Either accept the default File name and location or change it. Click the Save button.
    Note: If using an existing file, a message will be displayed asking whether to overwrite the file; respond appropriately.
  4. The KML Export Setting screen is displayed. Review the settings. When finished, click the Continue button.
  5. The Export screen is displayed again. The Export Log section will display the status of the Export routine. When the routine is complete, click the Close button.

This routine is run by selecting the Export item from the Utilities menu and choosing the KML file type; it has no GDI Command Line alias.

Notes

  • The KML Export routine creates a Keyhole Markup Language (KML) file. Once created, the KML file can be imported or opened by mapping programs such as Google Earth.
  • To export to a KML file, the model must be in longitude and latitude coordinates. If the model is not in the proper coordinates, a message may be displayed asking whether to project the coordinates; respond appropriately.

Export A SHP File – Customer, Node, Or Pipe

Customer, node, or pipe data from GASWorkS can be exported to a SHP file.

  1. From the Utilities menu, select the Export item.
  2. The Export screen is displayed. Select one of the “SHP (ESRI Shapefile) File” items from the File Type list. Click the Export button.
  3. The Save screen is displayed with a default File name and location. Either accept the default File name and location or change it. Click the Save button.
    Note: If using an existing file, a message will be displayed asking whether to overwrite the file; respond appropriately.
  4. The Projection Specification screen is displayed. Either type or select the projection file to be used. Click the Continue button.
    Note: If exporting customer data, a message will be displayed asking whether to export the services. Click the Yes button to export the services to a line-style SHP file; the Filename will end in “_s.shp”. Or, click the No button to export the customers only.
  5. The Export screen is displayed again. The Export Log section will display the status of the Export routine. When the routine is complete, click the Close button.

This routine is run by selecting the Export item from the Utilities menu and choosing one of the SHP (customer, node, or pipe) file types; it has no GDI Command Line alias.

Notes

  • A shapefile consists of several files. The essential files are a “shape” format file, ending in a (.shp) extension, which contains the spatial or geographic data, and an “attribute” format file, ending in a (.dbf) extension, which contains the attribute data associated with the graphical features. A shapefile can only contain one feature style. That is, a shapefile can only contain point or line features, but not both. Exporting pipe or service data creates an arc (line) style file. Exporting customer or node data creates a point file.
  • The default naming convention assigns the first letter of the chosen feature to the end of the model name. For example, a pipe SHP file would end in “_p.shp.”
  • Shapefiles can be imported or opened by a graphical information system (GIS) and CAD programs. The shapefile is the standard file format used by ESRI ArcGIS software.

Notes & Considerations

  • All three routines are started the same way: select the Export item from the Utilities menu, then choose the desired File Type on the Export screen.
  • Each routine assumes that GASWorkS has been started, a model is open, and the GDI Window is displayed.
  • If an existing file is selected on the Save screen, a message will be displayed asking whether to overwrite the file; respond appropriately.
  • The Export Log section of the Export screen displays the status of each Export routine; when the routine is complete, click the Close button.

See Also

  • Example: Importing DXF & Working with Shapefiles
  • Exporting Model Data (CSV, DBF & XLS)

FAQ

  • Where do I start an export?
    From the Utilities menu, select the Export item, choose the desired File Type on the Export screen, and click the Export command button. Each routine then walks through a Save screen, a format-specific settings screen, and finally reports its status in the Export Log.
  • What coordinate system does a KML export require?
    The model must be in longitude and latitude coordinates to export a KML file. If it is not, a message may be displayed asking whether to project the coordinates before the export continues.
  • Can I control what ends up in a DXF export?
    Yes — the DXF Export Settings screen is displayed during the export so you can review the settings. Its General data tab includes a Use Template File option, and GASWorkS provides a default template in the “GASWorkS 11\support\cad” folder.

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Updated on July 29, 2026

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