Import XY points into TerrSet

Although the process of importing points or UTM coordinates into TerrSet (formerly Idrisi) seems complicated, it is actually a simple task. You can import a table in XLS, CSV, TXT, DFB or AVL format. This entry indicates the procedure for executing this process.

Once TerrSet is opened (previously configured the project) go to the toolbar in the Database Workshop icon.

The first thing to create is a Database, to do it go from the File > New menu to assign a name to the new database. In some cases when trying to create the database the mouse pointer remains processing indefinitely and throws the following error:

The selected/associated database file cannot be oppened due to being out of memory. Close existing map windows that contain large-size map layers and try again.

This is due to compatibility issues with Microsoft Access, to fix it requires installing 2007 Office System Driver: Data Connectivity Components.

Fixed the problem, from the menu File > Import > Table > from External File, browse and open the table in XLS format (Excel 97-2003), select the Excel workbook that contains the spatial data and accept.

Subsequently, from the menu File > Export > Field > X and to Point Vector File, export the table as a vector file. Assign an output name, select the fields corresponding to the XY coordinates, and the reference system.

So far the spatial location of the points has already been established, but it is necessary to establish a connection in order to visualize the Z values ​​(which may well be elevation, precipitation, temperature, noise, etc.).

In the toolbar of the Database Workshop click on Establish Display Link, in the dialog that appears to configure it as follows:

Vector link file (.vlx) .- Select the VLX file previously created.
Vector file.- Assign the vector file file previously created.
Link field name: It is very important to select a unique identifier field for each record, in this case ID counts the numbering of the records in the table.

If you only need to display the values ​​of the Z field (POINT_Z), move to that field and click on the Display Current Field as Map Layer icon.

To record as a vector using the attributes of any of the fields, go from the File > Export > Field > to Vector File menu, select the field containing the Z and accept records.

This has been the process for importing UTM coordinates into TerrSet.