dpPower > Menu reference > File > Reference data

Reference data is used to open files from other programs and use these as a temporary background or reference when working in the application without the changes being saved to the database. Only metadata about the reference file is saved. Metadata is stored temporarily and locally in the computer. Reference data is not saved in the database as it is not loaded as an object in the current change set that you are working in, unlike a normal import.

A reference file that is loaded into dpSpatial is saved in the current changeset between work sessions and is available regardless of which Digpro product and version is used, as long as the same changeset is used.

When a reference file is loaded, the contents of the reference file are displayed in active view in the map. A bookmark with the file name is created in the bookmarks list (Window> Bookmarks). The bookmark can be used to easily navigate to the area with the reference file, for example between sessions.

The application supports a number of types of reference files such as vector, raster, xml and the WMS standard for generating map images via web services.

•To make reference data available to other users, the files must be uploaded to a shared server. This does not apply to WMS data as it is retrieved from an external server.

•Only metadata about the reference file is saved. Metadata is stored temporarily and locally in the computer. Reference data is not saved in the database as it is not loaded as an object in the current change set you are working in.

•If the change set is transferred, the reference data will not be included.

Vector format and Raster format

The application supports a number of types of reference files such as vector, raster, xml and the WMS standard for generating map images via web services. The method for opening and displaying reference data is handled in much the same way regardless of format and is divided into the categories vector files and raster files. Vector files contain graphics that consist of geometries such as dots, lines, polygons and more. Raster files include graphics that are made up of pixels, so-called pixels.

•Vector files contain graphics that consist of geometries (dots, lines, polygons, etc). In GIS / NIS, it is common to use the vector format DXF, or DGN, to exchange data between different CAD / GIS systems.

•Raster graphics are images that are made up of pixels (pixels). Common examples are the JPEG format and the PNG format. For the raster image, there must be an adaptation file of the World file format.

Vector format

File type	File extension	Description
DGN (Design)	*.dgn	File format for CAD (MicroStation) software.
DWG (Drawing)	*.dwg	File format for CAD programs (AutoCAD).
DXF	*.dxf	Export variant of the DWG (AutoCAD) file format.
DPS	*.dps	Digpro's own vector format for images stored outside the Oracle database.
GPX	*.gpx	GPS Exchange Format is an XML-based standard format for exchanging GPS data between different applications. Data is stored in lat-long.
KML	*.kml	Vector format used in Google Earth, among other places. dpPower supports point data, lines, and certain types of polygons.
RDW	*.rdw	Kartago-based vector format.
Geopackage	*.gpkg	Standardized storage and transfer format for vector, raster and metadata. The data is stored in the relational database manager SQLite (similar to Postgres) in the form of a database file. The database can be read with SQLite readers. Developed by OGC (Open Geospatial Consortium).
Shapefile	*.shp	Esri Shapefile. Geospatial vector format for GIS software, developed by Esri.
TAB	*.tab	MapInfo Tab format. Geospatial vector format for GIS software, developed by MapInfo.
TXY	.txy, .csv	Digpro, coordinate file format. The tool also supports Comma / Column-Separated Values (CSV) files according to the same specification.

Raster format

File type	File extension	Description
JPEG	.jpeg, .jpg	Joint Photographic Experts Group. Standard for digital photos, especially photos. Requires an alignment file for it to be displayed correctly in the application. The system supports smaller rectangular raster images, approx. 100 Mb loaded size.
KRF	*.krf	Kartagos raster image format.
PNG	*.png	Portable Network Graphics. Requires an alignment file for it to be displayed correctly in the application. The system supports smaller rectangular raster images, approx. 100 Mb loaded size.
TIFF	.tiff, .tif	Tagged Image File Format. Requires an alignment file for it to be displayed correctly in the application. The system supports smaller rectangular raster images, approx. 100 Mb loaded size.

Adaptation files of the World file format

For the raster image, there must be an adaptation file of the World file format. The World file contains information about the georeferencing, about how the raster should fit into the map and information about, among other things, max / min coordinates for x and y as well as information for rotation and scale. The fit file is automatically named the raster image. Its file extension is created by modifying the extension of the raster format and adding the letter "w".

For example, the raster image map.jpg gets an associated world file called map.jgw. The raster image geobild.png similarly gets a world file called geobild.pgw.

When you open a georeferenced raster file, the system automatically searches for an associated adaptation file of the same name. You do not need to enter the directory and path to the adaptation file yourself.

See Georeferencing Image for more information on how to create adaptation files for non-georeferenced images.

More information

Categories of file formats

See File formats: support and specifications for more information on the supported file formats.

Open a reference file, create the customization files required to view raster images and customize how reference files are displayed and loaded in the application by choosing File > Reference Data.

In the Help > dpPower (or dpWater/dpGas/dpHeating) > Menu Reference> File > Reference Data > Georeferencing Image..., you can read more about how to create control files for non-georeferenced images.