Although many PIEs are available, we describe here five PIEs which can be used by everyone. Other more specific PIEs are listed on the Argus web site.

Enhanced Import Shape Files PIE

The shape file PIE now automatically filters .shp files, notifies you of the types of fields stored in a shape file, and automatically creates new layers and parameters into which shapes will be imported with their respective values.

To import a shape file

1. From the File menu select Import and Shape file.
2. Locate and open the file (.shp type)
3. Select the layer type into which the file will be read.
4. Select the fields to be imported. Fields' types are listed next to their names.

Choose whether to import into the current layer or into a new one. New layers are named after the name of the shape file. If you import into an existing information type layer, and allow intersection is not on, shapes which intersect other shapes will be skipped. An alert will pop up and allow you to either accept or cancel the import. Also, if you import into an existing information layer, the existing parameters will be used, and their type will not be changed to complement the actual type being imported.

If the current layer is a domain layer, in which allow intersection is not allowed, the PIE will only permit import into a new map or information layer. Although allow intersection will be turned on when importing into a new information type layer, shapes which intersect themselves (allowed in ArcView, but not in Argus ONE information layers) will be skipped. To avoid skipping such shapes, import into a Maps type layer.

This dialog lists all the fields related to objects in the shape file. Click to select those you wish to import. If a new information type layer is selected for import, Argus ONE creates a new layer, names it after the name of the shape file, creates layer parameters using the fields' names and types, and imports the data. If the objects imported reside outside the current drawing size, Argus ONE will alert you and offer to resize it so that all new shapes will fit in the resized drawing area.

Array PIEs

A PIE named ArrayPIE is available for use within export templates. It offers a one dimensional array which can be initialized, assigned values and return them on call. You can use as many arrays PIEs as you need within an export template, by creating duplicates of the original ArrayPIE. The name by which the PIE will be called from within the export template is the name you give it when you duplicate it. If you want to use more than one such PIE you must have a unique name for each of the Array PIEs.

Calling Functions for Array PIEs

There are four functions which are used to initialize the array, load its members, retrieve them, and dispose the array. The four functions are:

1. ArrayInit(n) - Initializes a one dimensional array of length n.
2. ArraySet(i,v)- Sets the member i to value v.
3. ArrayGet(i) - Retrieves the value stored in the i member and returns it.
4. ArrayDispose() - Disposes the array and the memory allocated to it.

If you wish to use two arrays, you may call the first Array1 (on PC Array1.dll) and the second Array2 (on PC Array2.dll). To use the above calls you should use the syntax (suffix the array name with the function): Array1Init(), Array1Set(), Array1Get(), Array1Dispose() for the first and Array2Init(), Array2Set(), Array2Get(), Array2Dispose() for the second.

The following example initializes a MyArray1 of length 10. While doing so it tests if the Array PIE exists and if the initialization terminated successfully. It then sets values to each of the array members and exports these values.

Set Variable: NumLayers:=10
Set Variable: ok:=1
Set Variable: Test:= MyArray1Init(NumLayers)
If: IsNAN(Test)
     Alert: "The PIE MyArray1.DLL could not be found!"
     Set Variable: ok:= 0
End if
If ok 
     Loop for: Variable i from: 0 to: NumLayers-1 step:1
          Evaluate expression: MyArray1Set(i,i*2)
     End Loop
     Loop for: Variable i from: 0 to: NumLayers-1 step: 1
          Start a new line
              Export expression: MyArray1Get(i) [G0]
          End line
     End Loop
          Evaluate expression: MyArray1Dispose()
End if

Interpolator PIEs from SRI

Subterranean Research, Inc. has kindly allowed Argus to distribute its interpolators with the Argus ONE GIS module. If you find these PIEs useful or have any suggestions on how to enhance or improve them, please contact SRI (see address below).

This PIE provides 3 different ways to interpolate data in Argus ONE data layers. The methods and the names by which they are referenced in the Interpolation Method popup menu are:

• InvDistSq - Inverse distance squared interpolator.
• NN2D - Nearest Neighbor interpolator.
• SCANN2D/v1 - Version 1 of 2-D Neural Network classifier/interpolator. (See technical notes below.)

Contacting Subterranean Research, Inc.

Please contact David Dougherty at Subterranean Research, Inc. with any questions or comments. Telephone (802)-658-8878, Fax (802)-658-8878, Email David.Dougherty@subterra.com.