Batch Point Database Jobs

A Point Database Batch can be used to convert multiple similar point database files at one time. There are two ways to initiate a Batch Point Database job. To complete a Point Database Batch Job, you must first be familiar with setting up individual versions of the Point Database jobs eligible for batch operation; Point Database Conversion, Point Database Forward Inverse, or Point Database Scale and Translate.

To set up a batch of similar files to be converted:

Template Job

The first step in setting up a Batch is to set up an individual point database job. This job will serve as a template for all the jobs in the batch. Make sure that column headers are configured so that column handling can be the same for all point database files in the batch point database job.

Load one of the files into a Point Database Conversion, Point Database Forward Inverse, or Point Database Scale and Translate job and fully set up a conversion for that data. The operation, the coordinate systems, the datum transformation, and the column input and output setup will all be copied to the batch.

A batch may also be added by navigating to File>New>Batch>Point Database Conversion.

Click Process in the template job (or Preview ) to confirm that the job settings are correct.

Once complete, right-click on the Point Database Conversion job in the Project Manager pane and select Batch Add. The Batch Add dialog will open.

Note: Utilizing a template job and validating the settings or previewing the results is the best practice for creating a batch to ensure that the jobs will process correctly and as expected. However, it is also possible to create a batch without first creating a template job.

Input Data

Click the Add Data button in the upper right of the dialog to select the files to add to the batch. The files will be added to the Input Data List. Add the input file from the original template job, also, to make that file be part of the batch processing.

To add a complete directory of files to your batch, select Directory from the Type drop down list before browsing for files. This will select and load a folder, rather than individual files.

Coordinate System, Transformation and Column Settings

If the batch was created from a template job, the Input and Output Column Settings and then the Coordinate Systems area will be unavailable, because those settings will be copied from the template job. Utilizing a template job and validating the settings or previewing the results is the best practice for creating a batch to ensure that the jobs will process correctly and as expected.

If the batch was not created from a template job, the coordinate system and transformation area will be modifiable by setting the Use coordinate system selected below option.

For more information on selecting coordinate systems and transformations:

Output Files

If desired, set an output modifier for your output files. If you do not set a modifier, the output file names will be identical to the input file names.

Set an output format. Select either to maintain the same format as the input files, or to use a specified file type for all of the output files.

If the output format is set to a vector or spatial database file type, the Export Settings dialog will open, allowing you to select the output columns and coordinate system. These settings will default to the output system and columns that you selected in your Point Database Conversion job. You can also access this dialog by clicking on the Settings button in the Output Format area.

Click the "..." button to set an output location for the converted files.

Generate Batch and Process

Click the Generate button to create the batch. A job will be created in the batch for each of your input files.

To run the jobs, right-click the Batch Point Database job and select Process. The Project Manager pane will show the progress of the jobs, and the Messages pane will display information on each conversion as it completes.