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PaleoPro Model Converter
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PaleoPro Model Converter

The PaleoPro Model Converter is a tool for converting plate models from PaleoGIS format to PaleoPro format.  PaleoPro models are contained in file geodatabases, as opposed to the personal geodatabase models used in PaleoGIS.  In addition to the change in geodatabase type, there are other format changes as well, such as how the model symbology is stored and different model settings. Therefore it’s not just a matter of copying the contents of the model from one type of geodatabase to the other, and this is why the converter tool is necessary.

This is a PaleoGIS tool (i.e., you use it in PaleoGIS to perform model conversions, not in PaleoPro).  It is available for use in PaleoGIS v5.0 and PaleoGIS v4.3 (full version number = 4.3.6092.19442) in ArcGIS version 10.4.x.  The tool can be downloaded from the PaleoGIS website under Support > Downloads > PaleoPro (website registration required for access).

Installing the Tool in PaleoGIS

If the PaleoPro Model Converter is not already installed in the PaleoGIS: Analysis Tools toolbar in your version of PaleoGIS, install it as follows:

  1. Put the PaleoPro Model Converter file (either PaleoProModelConverterExt.dll or PaleoProModelConverterExt434.dll) in the PaleoGIS installation directory at C:\Program Files (x86)\Rothwell\PaleoGIS.  You will need administrator permissions on your computer to do this.

  1. In PaleoGIS, open the Configuration window and go to the Application settings tab:

  1. Scroll down to the bottom of the table.

  1. In the empty bottom row of the table, enter “PG_ANALYSIS_x” into the Name column, where x is the next higher number after the highest existing PG_ANALYSIS entry.  For example, if the highest existing PG_ANALYSIS entry is PG_ANALYSIS_6, enter “PG_ANALYSIS_7” in the Name column in the empty row.

  1. If you are using PaleoGIS v5.0, enter this text into the Val column (copy and paste to avoid typos):

PaleoPro Model Converter|PaleoProModelConverterExt.dll#PaleoProModelConverterExt.PaleoProModelConverterExt

Or if you are using PaleoGIS v4.3:

PaleoPro Model Converter|PaleoProModelConverterExt434.dll#PaleoProModelConverterExt.PaleoProModelConverterExt

  1. Click the Save Updates button.

  1. Close and then restart ArcMap.

  1. The converter tool should now appear in the drop-down menu in the PaleoGIS: Analysis Tools toolbar:

Using the PaleoPro Model Converter

  1. In PaleoGIS, load the plate model that you wish to convert.

  1. In the PaleoGIS: Analysis Tools toolbar, select the PaleoPro Model Converter from the drop-down menu and click Go to open the tool window.  Fill in the required fields in the window according to the descriptions below.

PaleoPro Model Geodatabase Name: The name that will be given to the new model file geodatabase.  This field will be automatically pre-populated with the name of the personal geodatabase containing the currently loaded model with the prefix “Pro_”.  If desired, you can change the name to something else.

PaleoPro Model Display Name (optional):  The name of the model that will show up in the Models drop down menu in PaleoPro.  If this field is left empty, the name of the model file geodatabase will be used.

Model Info URL:  If the currently loaded model contains a MODEL_METADATA setting, this textbox will be automatically filled.  If  the textbox is empty, just leave it that way.

Output Directory:  The directory where the converted model will be output to.  Use the button to the right of the textbox to browse to and select the desired output location.

 

  1. Click the Run Conversion button.  The conversion will begin, and the conversion status will be shown at the bottom of the window as the tool runs.  The status will say “Done!” when the conversion is complete:

  1. You can find the converted model file geodatabase in the output directory you previously selected.