6 replies to this topic

[Pr0cy0n]

Hey there guys!!

Does anyone know how to convert the ArcMAP workspace file (*.mxd) to ArcIMS workspace file (*.axl)??

Currently, i am using one from the ESRI Script Site but there was a lot of problems with the layers (e.g hatching does no appear in IMS as well as line sytles differ).

I hope someone can give me a suggestion to work around this. Thanks!!!

Cheers!!

[frax]

I always build my axl files from scratch (with a lot of manual editing).

You should try the ArcMap server thing for ArcIMS, then you will be able to use your mxd directly.

[Pr0cy0n]

hey frax...do u mean u do all the map design in ArcIMS directly??..isnt that extremely time consuming and not as flexible as doing it in ArcMap??...i'm not too sure what you mean by the ArcMap server thing??..wat exactly is that??

I always build my axl files from scratch (with a lot of manual editing).

You should try the ArcMap server thing for ArcIMS, then you will be able to use your mxd directly.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[frax]

I do most of the map design in ArcIMS directly, it gives you finer control. There are somethings you can only do there (I think) as well, such as rasters and SQL queries. I do some fundamental parts of the map design in ArcIMS Author or ArcExplorer, and then the rest by hand in a text editor.

I have never tried a conversion script, and I wouldn't want to play with that anyways. ArcIMS only supports a limited subset of the cartographic features in ArcMap.

It is a bit time consuming, but when it is up and running and you only need to tweak it, it works very well.

ArcGIS ArcMap Server is an extension or part of ArcIMS, introduced in 9.0 (or was it 4.1?). First it was windows only, but not it runs on all supported platforms (I think). I haven't played with it yet. It gives you access to all the functionality in ArcMap through a server, but I am quite sure you lose quite a lot of performance on the way as well...

[melon_mapper]

I use both ARCIMS 9.1 and ARCGIS 9.1 for my 5 different IMS sites (sorry they are internal only). I put all the data and do all my layout and cartographic design using ArcMap. I have the arcmap server for IMS and it works great and it is the only way I have been able to replace some map guide applications. The biggest thing I do is I mimick the file set up on my computer and the IMS server (example- C:\ndep_ims is the same on my computer and the IMS server). I do this so no links get broken. Using the personal geodatabase gets tricky sometimes and I end up creating shapefiles for those layers.

If you have any further questions- you can email me offline or call me at work

John Watermolen
jwatermo@ndep.nv.gov
775-687-9328

[frax]

john, what would you say about the performance of arcmap server vs plain arcims? My experience is that any form of eye candy (e.g. antialiased fonts) affects the performance significantly. I am running several public sites, with reasonable high traffic:

http://maps.grida.no/arctic
http://maps.grida.no/baltic
http://globalis.gvu.unu.edu

(and more)

[melon_mapper]

I would tend to agree with you, but I haven't used an .axl files to do a comparison with. Also, the sites I have created are internal only. We hope to have a public one available by the end of the year, so that would give me a better idea. I have a feeling that the performance probabaly won't be that much lower-it may depend more on the configuration of the server rather than arcmap server vs an .axl file.

I do know that using the arcmap server I was able to do more than just doing an .axl file

I may do some tests after we get our public one up and running.

John

BTW- the sites look good