To Work with Import and Export INI Files

Some of the defaults for import and export settings are stored in .ini (initialization) files. When you use a new format with AutoCAD Map 3D toolset, the information about that format is added automatically to the .ini files. However, in some instances, you may want to modify these files yourself. In addition, you can set some formatting options in these files.

Export to SHP as folder-based

  1. Open the mapexport.ini file using a text editor such as WordPad.

    This file is located in the C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Autodesk AutoCAD Map 3D 2024\R24.1 folder

  2. Find the [SHP] section.
  3. Specify File=False.
  4. Specify Rootname=True.
  5. Specify EntTypes=All.
  6. Save and close the .ini file.

Export to SHP as file-based

  1. Open the mapexport.ini file using a text editor such as WordPad.

    This file is in the C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Autodesk AutoCAD Map 3D 2024\R24.1 folder.

  2. Find the [SHP] section.
  3. Specify File=True.
  4. Specify Rootname=False.
  5. Specify EntTypes=Types.
  6. Save and close the .ini file.

Change the segmentation size

Use this procedure to change the segmentation size for splines, polylines with bulges, arcs, and ellipses.

  1. Open the mapexport.ini file using a text editor such as WordPad.

    This file is in the C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Autodesk AutoCAD Map 3D 2024\R24.1 folder.

  2. Find the [Options] section.
  3. To change the segmentation of splines and polylines with bulges, edit the SegmentionDegrees value to the number you want.

    By default, the value is two degrees.

  4. To change the segmentation of arcs and ellipses, find the File section pertaining to one of the following file formats: Arc/INFO, E00, MIF, MapInfo, or Shape.
  5. Delete the semicolon at the beginning of the following line:

    Driver:FME_ARC_DEGREES_PER_EDGE=5

  6. Change the FME_ARC_DEGREES_PER_EDGE value to the number you want.
  7. Save and close the .ini file.

Change the default seed file for exporting DGN files

  1. Open the mapexport.ini file using a text editor such as WordPad.

    This file is in the C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Autodesk AutoCAD Map 3D 2024\R24.1 folder.

  2. Find the [DGCN_V7] or [DGN_V8] section. This is where the default seed file is specified.
  3. Change the default seed file to the seed file you want.
    Note: Make sure to choose a seed file for the appropriate version of DGN. If you export to DGN version 7 using a DGN version 8 seed file, the operation will fail.
  4. Save and close the .ini file.

Export DGN files in imperial units

  1. Open the mapexport.ini file using a text editor such as WordPad.
  2. Find the [DGN_V7] or [DGN_V8] section.
  3. Change the default seed file to the seed file you want.

    For example, change the default seed file to one that specifies imperial units rather than metric:

    Driver:RUNTIME_MACROS=_SEED,"C:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\GIS\ImportExport\4.0\design\seed3d_ft.dgn"

    Note: Make sure to choose a seed file for the appropriate version of DGN. If you export to DGN version 7 using a DGN version 8 seed file, the operation will fail.
  4. Save and close the .ini file.

Import Shapefiles, MIF/MID, TAB, or VPF

Use this procedure to import Shapefiles, MIF/MID, TAB, or VPF as folder-based, multi-select, or file-based.

  1. Open the mapimport.ini file using a text editor such as WordPad.

    This file is located in the C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Autodesk AutoCAD Map 3D 2024\R24.1 folder.

  2. Find the File section pertaining to one of the following file formats: ShapeFile, MIF/MID, TAB, or VPF.

    The File section is preceded by a comment such as, "This section determines how you want to Import MIF/MID files" and has several lines containing the word "File."

  3. Delete the semicolon at the beginning of the line for the option you want:
    • File=MultiSelect

      The format will be considered a multi-select, file-based format. This means that you will be able to select one or more individual files in the Import Location dialog box to include in the import process.

    • File=SingleSelect

      The format will be considered a single-select, file-based format. This means that you will be able to select one file only in the Import Location dialog box. Note that this is not a valid option for VPF.

    • File=False

      The format will be considered a folder-based format and all files in the selected folder will be included in the import process.

  4. Make sure there is a semicolon at the beginning of the line for the options you do not want to use. The semicolon tells AutoCAD Map 3D toolset to ignore the line.
  5. Save and close the .ini file.

Specify DGN cell import options

  1. Open the mapimport.ini file using a text editor such as WordPad.

    This file is in the C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Autodesk AutoCAD Map 3D 2024\R24.1 folder.

  2. Find the [DGN_V7_V8] section.
    Note: You can also use the Cell Expansion options in the Import dialog box to expand cells as blocks or points, or to explode them.
  3. Find Driver:DGN_XPAND_CELL.
  4. Change this to CELLS2BLOCKS, EXPLODECELLS, or CELLS2POINTS.
  5. Save and close the .ini file.

Import objects using RGB (True Color) colors

  1. Open the mapimport.ini file using a text editor such as WordPad.

    This file is in the C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\Autodesk AutoCAD Map 3D 2024\R24.1 folder.

  2. Find the Color section for either DGN_V7-V8 or MIF (MapInfo).
  3. Delete the semicolon at the beginning of the line for the option you want:
    • Color=Closest ACI only

      The RGB values from the file will be converted to the closest ACI value.

    • Color=RGB only

      The RGB values from the file will be preserved. Objects whose color is black (0,0,0) will be assigned the color ByLayer. Objects whose color is white (255,255,255) will be assigned the color ACI White.

    • Color=Equivalent ACI and RGB

      For any RGB value that exactly matches an ACI, the objects will be imported using the ACI color value. All other objects will use their RGB values.

  4. Make sure there is a semicolon at the beginning of the line for the options you do not want to use. The semicolon tells AutoCAD Map 3D toolset to ignore the line.
  5. Save and close the .ini file.

Specify language encoding settings for GML in Asian languages

  1. Open the mapimport.ini or mapexport.ini file using a text editor such as WordPad.
  2. Find the [GML2] section.
  3. Delete the semicolon at the beginning of the lines for the language encoding settings you want to use. For example, for mapimport.ini, here are the settings you can use for Japanese.

    Driver:GML2_FEATURE_ENCODING=Shift-JIS

    Driver:GML2_MAPPING_FILE_ENCODING=Shift-JIS

    For mapexport.ini you can use:

    Driver:GML2_FEATURE_ENCODING=Shift-JIS

    Driver:GML2_OUTPUT_ENCODING=Shift-JIS

    Driver:GML2_MAPPING_FILE_ENCODING=Shift-JIS

    Below, is a summary of some of the specific settings you can use.
    Language Possible Settings
    Chinese

    Big5

    GB2312

    GB18030

    GBK

    Japanese

    EUC-JP

    Shift-JIS

    Korean EUC-KR

    KSC5601

  4. Save and close the .ini file.

Specify object properties

Related Concepts

Related Tasks