LUPMIS - GIS User Manual for Land Use Planning

4.8 Merge Lines with Attached Database

Level of expertise required for this Chapter: Expert

If you have some lines to be merged (or joined) to a large line map, you can copy – paste, but you always have to consider the integrity of the database.

1. Main menu > Utilities > Database utilities > Edit database > Select DBF file of first layer > Ensure that column ID is selected > Column > Starting from 1 > Apply simple serial number > Table > OK

2. Main menu > Utilities > Vector utilities > Actions > Select DRA file of first layer > Transform window: Ids and labels > Re-make object Ids > OK > Re-make object IDs window: Format: # > First: 1 > OK > Save as window: Select old file name > Save

3. Repeat this process with all files to be merged, but change the starting number from 1 in example above to a number which is higher than the previous file largest number

For example: If the first file has 20 units, to be renumbered from 1 till 20, the next file should have a renumbering starting from 21, or better 100.

4. You can then load the files to the live layer:
Main menu > Edit > Load file into live layer with data > Select folder and file
Repeat for the other file(s) and save as one combined file:
Main menu > Edit > Save live layer > Select folder, enter new file name

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Two more complex approaches are documented below. They require thorough knowledge of GIS database management.

A:

1. Load the vector layer with the few lines into the live layer, select the lines and copy them:
From Program manager window: Add layer > …. > Data link > Database > Choose database > …… > Copy layer to live layer > OK.
Right-mouse > Edit > Select (or Select-tool from toolbar left) > move to feature(s) > click. You can select multiple features, by holding the shift button at the keyboard.
Main menu > Edit > Copy
Main menu > Edit > Clear live layer

2. Load the main line map into the live layer, paste and save:
Bring it – together with the database - to the live layer
Main menu > Edit > Paste. The features should now appear.
Deselect by clicking anywhere
Save the live layer (Main menu > Edit > Save live layer).

3. Generate a raw database from this new line map
Main menu > Utilities > Database utilities > Generate database from DRA > Select DRA file from step 2 above > Generate database window: Leave all boxes unticked (only the ID should be created) > OK > Give any new name for this temporary database file > OK

4. Import the database
If you still have the main line map on screen and in the program manager, copy it to the live layer (Copy layer to live layer > OK); otherwise you have to add it with its database before.
The new feature will show, but it does not have a data record.
Main menu > Live layer data > Merge data table with live data > Select the temporary database file from above > Choose link column window: ID > Both boxes ticked > OK > Pick columns to import window: ID > OK

5. Enter attribute data for the new feature(s)

6. Save the live layer
Main menu > Edit > Save live layer


B:

1. Load the lines to be added (called ‘map 2’) in your live layer, you might have to edit them, amend the Ids to unique ids, and save
From Program manager window: Add layer > …. > Program manager window: Data link > Database > Choose database > …… > Program manager window: Copy layer to live layer > OK
Right-mouse > Live layer actions > Live layer actions window: Ids and labels > Amend labels and Ids > OK > Amend labels and Ids window: Renumber ID starting from > 1000 > OK
Right-mouse > Save live layer as > Accept folder and file name > Save
Main menu > File > Clear

2. Amend the master map (called ‘map 1’) with unique ids (to be different from the ids of ‘map 2’)
Same steps as above for ‘map 1’, with renumbering from 2000

3. Merge these two layers, including their databases
From Program manager window: Add layer > Select main map (‘map 1’) > Program manager window: Data link > Database > Choose database > …… > Program manager window: Copy layer to live layer > OK
Same steps as above for ‘map 2’
Main menu > Edit > Live layer data > Merge data table with live data > Select folder and file name of ‘map 1’ > Choose link column window: Select ID, leave 2 boxes ticked > OK > Pick columns to import window: Select all > OK
Same steps as above for ‘map 2’

4. Save the new layer
Main menu > Edit > Save live layer