Autodesk 15606-011408-9330 User Guide - Page 97

For points/symbols and text, you can store coordinates in a database instead of an SDF. You can update coordinates in a standard database application quite easily, and you can rotate, align, and size text based on fields in the database. The following sections explain the information you need to know about using the two SDF conversion applications. SDF Loader You can use the SDF Loader to convert several file formats individually, or you can create batch files to convert multiple files. The batch file can run the SDF Loader and any necessary third-party programs to convert the files. This is an efficient way to set up your source data and create your SDFs. For complete information, refer to the SDF Loader Help. SDF Component Toolkit You can use the SDF Component Toolkit and a programming language, such as Visual Basic or C++, to create an application that works with SDFs. The SDF Component Toolkit provides powerful access to SDFs, including the ability to work with individual features within an SDF. This means that your program could convert individual features in the SDF rather than the whole file at once, so you have more control of your conversion than you do with the SDF Loader. For complete information, refer to the SDF Component Toolkit Help. Working with Attribute Data Attribute data is data that can be linked to the spatial data in maps to provide the user with information about those spatial features. Examples of attribute data are population, area, name, total sales, a URL link to a related Web page, style data, and any other data you want to associate with a spatial feature. When you link attribute data to your spatial data, the data can be used in one of four ways: to display the names of the features, to set the width (of symbols), height and rotation (of symbols and text), and alignment (of text), to create themes, or to generate reports. The following sections describe how to prepare and use your attribute data. Working with Attribute Data | 97