Importing DLGs in Optional Format into ArcView

Note:  These instructions pertain to USGS DLGs in Optional format only. Please return to our USGS processing page for instructions pertaining to DLGs in SDTS format.

If  you are downloading them from the USGS website, 1:100K DLGs are available in Optional format, but 1:24K and 1:2million DLGs are in SDTS format only.

If you are extracting DLGs from a Branner Library CD-ROM, they are most likely in Optional format.  See importing instructions

1. Download the following script for importing of Optional format DLGs to ArcView:  DLG21a.Ave script
2. 2.Download the 100k optional DLG from the USGS Geographic Data site.
3. Unzip the downloaded file and change the file extension to .dlg
4. In ArcView...
   (More detailed instructions for adding a script may be found here)

   Open a new Script window.
   Go to the Script menu and select "Load Text file".
   - Add your downloaded copy of DLG21a.ave from its location on your hard drive.
   - Compile the script.
   - Run the script. When prompted to import a DLG, select the downloaded .dlg file from its location on your hard drive. 
   - You will be prompted to choose a feature type.  Select Line, Polygon, or Point.
   - You will be prompted to name and store the newly created Shape file. Do so and click Okay.
   - You will be asked if the file has been CHOPped.  This refers to a DOS program previously required to process DLGs.  If you simply download and unzip the file, it is unchopped. Click "No".  
   - A message saying "Done" will appear; click "OK".
   - Close the Script window and return to a View window to add the new shape file to your view.
   - Finished! 

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1. Download the following script for importing of Optional format DLGs to ArcView:  DLG21a.Ave script
2. Extract the appropriate file (*.cdo or no extension) from the CD-ROM to a folder on your hard drive. 
3. Remove the file's Read-Only property, and  change the file extension to .dlg
4. The DLGs on the USGS CD-ROMs are already uncompressed, but have not been chopped.
5. In ArcView....
   
   - Open a new Script window.
   - Go to the Script menu and select "Load Text file".
   - Add your downloaded copy of DLG21a.ave from its location on your hard drive.
   - Compile the script.
   - Run the script. When prompted to import a DLG, select your .dlg file from its location on your hard drive. 
   - You will be prompted to choose a feature type.  Select Line, Polygon, or Point.
   - You will be prompted to name and store the newly created Shape file. Do so, and click OK.
   - You will be asked if the file has been CHOPped.   Click "No".  
   . A message saying "Done" will appear; click "OK".
   . Close the Script window and return to a View window to add the new shape file to your view.
   That's All!  

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