How many times in your career have you had to draw a base map from scratch? You have no hard drawing information to start with except perhaps a lot survey with no elevations or contour information. Well a solution to what can be a major problem has been found. This is a program that, within seconds, transforms ArcView GIS information into readable and accurate AutoCAD DWG files. The program is called Arcv2CAD. In many situations, most sites under city or county jurisdiction have been mapped using some form of GIS program. In many cases either ArcView or ArcInfo are likely to be the programs used to develop key information about any local government region. This program allows the user to take GIS information, specifically ArcView files and create AutoCAD files, and either DWG or DXF files, from the original SHP files. In some cases it was possible to export GIS metafiles and import them directly into AutoCAD. Once the file size becomes fairly large the result is anything but accurate and in some cases not even usable. Using Arcv2CAD you can easily convert the SHP files into an AutoCAD DWG file. It not only transfers the line data but also gives you the opportunity to maintain layer, color and elevation information; the usual information needed to have a complete CAD drawing. Figure 1 is an example of the initial conversion dialog box that appears when the program is started. In the main window of the box is a complete list of all the SHP files that are available for any given site. In this example, Clarke County, Georgia, you see areas 1-8 listed, along with SHP files for buildings, railroads, structures, utilities, disturbed areas, etc. Each one of these SHP files can be converted separately or individually into a DWG or DXF file. One word of caution, I have EASILY converted these SHP files individually and cut and pasted them together in a very useable CAD drawing. According to the literature you CAN batch the SHP files together into one drawing. The company itself, in their manual, states that although this combination of SHP files into a single drawing is possible, ?EUR??,,????'??it can be a tad tricky.?EUR??,,????'?? To the right side of the main window is an information window that allows you to see what type of information is contained within the SHP file. The name of the file, the type, be it point, polyline or polygon, the length record, total number of records minimum and maximum coordinates and z values of the files are all readily available. To begin the conversion process all that is needed is to highlight a SHP file and press the SAVE button located on the top right of the dialogue box. In this example I saved Area 1 and it took about 50 seconds for the conversion to take place. The Area 1 file is now available as a contour base map. In order to use the other information it would be necessary to convert the other files and combine them into a DWG drawing. Figure 2 was taken from an ArcView screen using the Area 1 SHP file only. Figure 3 is the converted DWG file that is an AutoCAD file. If you look closely you will see almost no differences between the files and how the contours appear. This provides a much more accurate method of conversion. In this instance it is fairly simple to convert additional SHP files and place them on the original DWG file. Figure 4 represents a different area of Clarke County with the contours, parcels and buildings being combined. Originally, this file was three different SHP files. A good tip is that while in GIS you should draw a boundary line for each SHP file. That way when it is time to combine each file into one DWG drawing it is very easy to register the drawings for correct placement of the drawing elements. There are some technical concerns that you may want to keep in mind. Depending on the file type and size you may need up to 400mb of free disk space to successfully convert some files. In my office I have had no trouble converting a complete county from SHP to DWG files. My machine is an ancient 850mb with only 256k of memory. Any new machines will have absolutely no problem converting the files. However, if you see the conversion bar slowing down and stopping anywhere after 80 percent, you probably have out tasked your computers capabilities. Although not probable, I have seen many people try to do too much beyond a machines capacity. For most Landscape Architects needing a base map smaller than a county, you should have no problems with this program.