在本指南中，我们将讨论什么是 Shapefile(what is a Shapefile)以及如何在 Windows 11/10 PC 上查看它。Shapefile基本上是一个用于存储地理空间矢量数据的文件。它是一种相当常见的GIS 格式(GIS format)，由Esri开发。让我们详细讨论这种文件格式(file format)。
什么是形状文件？
Shapefile是一个GIS文件(GIS file)，其中使用点、线和多边形等矢量来表示河流、湖泊、国家边界等地理位置。它的每个元素或项目都包含提供名称、温度、坐标等详细信息的属性。shapefile 具有存储不同类型空间数据的各种组件文件。以下是与 shapefile 相关的主要组件文件：
- 主要和强制的 shapefile 存储在 SHP 文件扩展名中。
- 索引文件(index file)以SHX 格式(SHX format)保存。
- dBASE表文件(Table file)( DBF ) 用于存储要素属性。
- 坐标系信息(coordinate system information)存储在PRJ文件(PRJ file)（投影(Projections) 定义文件(Definition file)）中。
shapefile 还有其他一些组件文件，包括 ixs（地理编码索引）、XML（元数据）、ain（属性索引）、cpg（代码页文件(page file)）等。
现在，如何在Windows 11/10中查看 shapefile ？好吧，本指南将帮助您找到解决方案。在本文中，我们将讨论在Windows 11/10 PC 上打开和查看 shapefile 的方法。让我们讨论方法！
如何在Windows 11/10Shapefile
以下是在Windows 11/10 PC 上查看Shapefile ( SHP ) 的方法：(SHP)
- 使用免费网站打开和查看Shapefile 。
- 使用(Use)免费软件导入和查看Shapefile。
让我们详细阐述上面列出的方法！
1]使用免费网站打开(Open)并查看Shapefile
您可以使用免费的在线服务(online service)在Windows 11/10中打开和查看Shapefile。只需(Just)打开网络浏览器(web browser)，导航到在线服务(online service)的网址(web address)，然后导入并查看(import and view)shapefile。这是非常容易和方便的。现在，您可以使用哪个服务来查看 shapefile？好吧，您可以使用各种 shapefile 查看器，但并非所有查看器都是免费的。大多数都是付费的或仅提供免费试用。如果您想免费查看SHP文件，可以使用名为Mapshaper的免费(Mapshaper)网络服务(web service)。
Mapshaper是用于在浏览器中查看 shapefile的专用在线工具。(online tool)它允许您单独上传SHP文件，甚至可以从压缩文件夹上传。要正确查看 shapefile 的全部内容，您还需要上传相关的PRJ、DBF和其他文件。只需将(Just drag)shapefile 拖放到其界面上或单击(interface or click)选择按钮即可浏览并导入 shapefile。导入时，您可以启用或禁用检测线交点(detect line intersections)和捕捉顶点(snap vertices)选项。然后它将显示来自导入的SHP 文件(SHP file)的几何空间数据。
以下是此在线 shapefile 查看器(online shapefile viewer)的一些主要功能：
要查看 shapefile，您可以使用简化(Simplify)工具来简化 shapefile 视图。它允许您自定义选项，如简化菜单和(simplification menu and method)应用 shapefile 简化的方法。
您可以将鼠标悬停在边界上并查看相应的详细信息。
它提供了基本zoom in/缩小功能来仔细分析您的 shapefile。
您可以单击箭头按钮以所需模式查看 shapefile。您可以根据需要选择检查特征( inspect features)（检查 shapefile）、选择特征(select features)（进行选择）或拖动顶点(drag vertices)选项。Shift-拖动框工具(shift-drag box tool)选项可让您按下Shift 按钮(Shift button)并在 shapefile 上拖动一个框以选择多个边界。然后，您可以删除、拆分、保留(delete, split, keep,)或清除( clear)选择。
如果您选择编辑属性(edit attributes)选项，您将能够在 shapefile 中编辑边界的属性。
控制台(Console)功能可用于运行I/O Commands, Editing Commands, Experimental Commands,和信息命令等命令(Informational Commands)。在控制台中键入帮助(Type help)以了解有关其命令的更多信息。
您可以将编辑后的 shapefile 版本导出为各种文件格式，包括原生Shapefile 格式(Shapefile format)、GeoJSON、TopoJSON、CSV、SVG和JSON记录。
想(Want)使用这个方便的在线 shapefile 查看器(online shapefile viewer)吗？导航(Navigate)到其Mapshaper 网站(Mapshaper website)。
阅读：(Read:)如何使用免费的在线工具在不使用Photoshop的情况下(Photoshop)编辑 PSD 文件。(Edit PSD Files)
2]使用(Use)免费软件导入和查看Shapefile
Windows 11/10中查看 shapefile 的另一种方法是使用第三方免费软件。Windows 11/10中只有少数shapefile 查看器软件(shapefile viewer software)可以免费使用。在这里，我们将提到三个不错的免费软件，用于在您的 PC 上打开和查看SHP文件。(SHP)这些免费软件如下：
- 形状查看器
- Avangardo ShapeView
- TNT图集
现在让我们了解有关这些适用于Windows 11/10查看器软件(viewer software)的详细信息。
1]形状查看器
顾名思义，Shape Viewer是一款专门用于在Windows 11/10SHP文件的免费软件。好消息是它是便携式的。因此(Hence)，您下载其安装 zip 文件(setup zip file)，解压缩文件夹，然后简单地运行ShapeViewer.exe 文件(ShapeViewer.exe file)即可开始查看其中的 shapefile。
它带有自己的文件浏览器(file explorer)；因此浏览存储源SHP文件的目录。它将显示所选文件夹中的所有 shapefile。您可以双击要查看的 shapefile。要分析 shapefile，您可以使用放大和缩小功能。选择缩放选项(zoom option)，然后选择要在 shapefile 中放大的区域。
除了基本的缩放功能外，它还允许您通过转到“File > File Information option来查看文件信息。它向您显示shapefile 类型(shapefile type)、记录数、边界框坐标等信息。
它还提供了创建SHX 文件(SHX file)和创建空DBF 文件(DBF file)的选项。要在此免费软件中直接打开您的 shapefile，您可以使用 File > Associate shp files with Shape Viewer选项关联。shapefile 中的所有坐标都可以导出到Excel 文件(Excel file)中。为此，请使用File > Export选项。
总而言之，它是一个简单的shapefile 查看器(shapefile viewer)，它提供了一些标准和必要的工具来查看和分析Windows 11/10中的 shapefile 。你可以从这里下载(download it from here)。
阅读：(Read:)用于编辑和创建SVG 文件(SVG file)的最佳在线SVG 文件(SVG file)编辑器。
2]Avangardo ShapeView
另一个用于在Windows 11/10上查看 shapefile 的免费软件是Avangardo ShapeView。它是一款免费且便携的shapefile 查看器(shapefile viewer)，无需安装即可运行和使用。除了SHP文件，您还可以在其中查看MapInfo文件 ( MIF ) 和AutoCAD DXF文件。您可以使用“File > Open File”选项导入并查看其中的 shapefile。它提供了一些标准的文件查看功能，包括放大、缩小、镜像、抗锯齿等。
使用它，您还可以将地图坐标转换并保存在CSV 文件(CSV file)中。为此，您可以在 shapefile 中进行选择，然后单击Utils > Save selection to file选项。
File > Save image”选项将 shapefile 视图保存在图像中。它以位图(Bitmap)( BMP ) 格式导出图像。
您可以从avangardo.com下载此免费软件。
阅读：(Read:) 适用于Windows PC的(Windows PC)最佳免费 DBF 文件查看器软件(Best Free DBF File Viewer software)。
3] TNT图集
您还可以尝试TNTatlas查看 shapefile 和其他GIS 和图像文件(GIS and image files)。它允许您打开和查看SHP以及GeoTIFF、MrSID、JP2、PNG、DXF和DWG等文件。要导入 shapefile，请单击“File > Open Object”选项。然后它将在其界面上显示地图。您现在可以使用各种视图选项来可视化 shapefile，例如缩放、图层透明度、定位器窗口、图例视图( zoom, layer transparency, locator window, legend view,)和放大镜(magnifier)。
它还提供了可从其工具(Tools)菜单访问的注释功能。(Annotate)此功能允许您使用笔向地图添加/绘制注释。除此之外，它还提供了Geo 工具箱(Geo toolbox)、View-in-view、HyperIndex Navigator等功能。您还可以拍摄带注释的地图的快照。
要使用该软件，您可以从其官方网站(its official website)下载。
请参阅：(See:)如何在Windows中将(Windows)DXF转换为GCode。
如何在线查看 Shapefile？
您可以使用专用的Web 服务(web service)在线查看 shapefile(shapefile online)。我们已经讨论了一个名为Mapshaper的免费(Mapshaper)在线 shapefile 查看器(online shapefile viewer)。它允许您在线打开、查看、检查和编辑 shapefile。要了解更多信息，您可以查看我们在本文前面提到的详细信息。
如何将 CSV 文件转换为 DBF？
DBF 文件(DBF file)是 shapefile的重要组成文件(component file)，因为它存储了特征的属性信息。因此，如果您有以CSV 文件(CSV file)格式存储的数据并且想要将其转换为DBF，您可以使用名为AnyConv的免费服务。使用它，您可以导入CSV 文件(CSV file)，然后单击“转换”按钮将(Convert button)CSV快速转换为DBF。
而已！希望本文能帮助您了解Shapefile(Shapefiles)又名SHP文件以及如何在Windows 11/10中查看它们。
现在阅读(Now read)：什么是IGS / IGES 文件(IGES file)？如何在Windows中查看和转换(Windows)IGS文件？
What is Shapefile? How to View a Shapefile in Windows 11/10
In this guidе, we are going to discuss what is a Shapefile and how you can view it on your Windows 11/10 PC. A Shapefile is basically a file that is used to store geospatial vector data. It is quite a common GIS format and was developed by Esri. Let us discuss this file format in detail.
What is a Shapefile?
A Shapefile is a GIS file in which vectors like points, lines, and polygons are used to represent geo locations like rivers, lakes, country boundaries, well, and more. Each of its elements or items contains attributes that provide details like name, temperature, coordinates, and more. The shapefiles have various component files that store different types of spatial data. Here are the main component files associated with shapefiles:
- The main and mandatory shapefile is stored in the SHP file extension.
- An index file is saved in SHX format.
- A dBASE Table file (DBF) is used to store feature attributes.
- The coordinate system information is stored in a PRJ file (Projections Definition file).
There are some other component files for shapefiles including ixs (geocoding index), XML (metadata), ain (attribute index), cpg (code page file), and more.
Now, how to view a shapefile in Windows 11/10? Well, this guide will help you find a solution to that. In this article, we are going to discuss methods to open and view shapefiles on your Windows 11/10 PC. Let us discuss the methods!
How to view a Shapefile in Windows 11/10
Here are the methods to view a Shapefile (SHP) on your Windows 11/10 PC:
- Open and view a Shapefile using a free website.
- Use free software to import and view a Shapefile.
Let us elaborate on the above-listed methods in detail!
1] Open and view a Shapefile using a free website
You can use a free online service to open and view a Shapefile in Windows 11/10. Just open a web browser, navigate to the web address of the online service, and then import and view a shapefile. It is very easy and convenient. Now, which service you can use to view shapefiles? Well, there are various shapefile viewers that you can use but not all are free. Most are paid or provide only a free trial. If you want to view SHP files for free, you can use this free web service called Mapshaper.
Mapshaper is a dedicated online tool to view shapefiles in a browser. It lets you upload SHP files individually or even from a zipped folder. To properly view the whole content of a shapefile, you need to upload related PRJ, DBF, and other files too. Just drag and drop the shapefiles on its interface or click on the select button to browse and import a shapefile. While importing, you can enable or disable detect line intersections and snap vertices options. It will then display geometrical spatial data from the imported SHP file.
Here are some main features of this online shapefile viewer:
To view a shapefile, you can use the Simplify tool that enables you to simplify the shapefile view. It lets you customize options like simplification menu and method to apply shapefile simplification.
You can hover the mouse over a boundary and view the respective details.
Basic zoom in/ out features are available in it to closely analyze your shapefiles.
You can click on the arrow button to view the shapefile in the desired mode. You can choose the inspect features (to inspect shapefile), select features (make selections), or drag vertices option as per your requirement. The shift-drag box tool option lets you press the Shift button and drag a box on the shapefiles to select multiple boundaries. Then, you can delete, split, keep, or clear the selection.
If you select the edit attributes option, you will be able to edit the attributes of a boundary in the shapefile.
A Console feature is available in it to run commands like I/O Commands, Editing Commands, Experimental Commands, and Informational Commands. Type help in the console to know more about its commands.
You can export the edited version of your shapefile in various file formats that include native Shapefile format, GeoJSON, TopoJSON, CSV, SVG, and JSON records.
Want to use this handy online shapefile viewer? Navigate to its Mapshaper website.
Read: How to Edit PSD Files without using Photoshop using free online tools.
2] Use free software to import and view a Shapefile
One more method to view a shapefile in Windows 11/10 is to use third-party freeware. There are only a few shapefile viewer software that you can use for free in Windows 11/10. Here, we are going to mention three nice free software to open and view SHP files on your PC. These free software are as follows:
- Shape Viewer
- Avangardo ShapeView
- TNTatlas
Let us now find out details about these shapefile viewer software for Windows 11/10.
1] Shape Viewer
As the name suggests, Shape Viewer is a dedicated free software to view SHP files on Windows 11/10. the good thing is that it is portable. Hence, you download its setup zip file, extract the folder, and simply run the ShapeViewer.exe file to start viewing shapefiles in it.
It comes with its own file explorer; so browse the directory where the source SHP files are stored. It will display all the shapefiles from the selected folder. You can double-click on the shapefile that you want to view. To analyze the shapefile, you can use zoom in and zoom out functions. Select the zoom option and then select the area that you want to magnify in the shapefile.
Apart from the basic zoom features, it lets you view file information by going to the File > File Information option. It shows you information like shapefile type, the number of records, bounding box coordinates, etc.
It also provides options to create an SHX file and create an empty DBF file. To directly open your shapefiles in this freeware, you can use the File > Associate shp files with Shape Viewer option. All the coordinates in a shapefile can be exported in an Excel file. For that, use the File > Export option.
All in all, it is a simple shapefile viewer which provides some standard and essential tools to view and analyze shapefiles in Windows 11/10. You can download it from here.
Read: Best online SVG file editor to edit and create SVG files.
2] Avangardo ShapeView
Another free software to use to view shapefile on Windows 11/10 is Avangardo ShapeView. It is a free and portable shapefile viewer that you can run and use without installation. Apart from SHP files, you can view MapInfo files (MIF) and AutoCAD DXF files in it. You can use the File > Open File option to import and view a shapefile in it. It provides some standard file viewing features including zoom in, zoom out, mirror, antialiasing, etc.
Using it, you can also convert and save map coordinates in a CSV file. To do that, you can make a selection in the shapefile and then click on the Utils > Save selection to file option.
Additionally, you can save the shapefile view in an image using the File > Save image option. It exports the image in Bitmap (BMP) format.
You can download this freeware from avangardo.com.
Read: Best Free DBF File Viewer software for Windows PC.
3] TNTatlas
You can also try TNTatlas to view shapefiles and other GIS and image files. It lets you open and view SHP as well as files like GeoTIFF, MrSID, JP2, PNG, DXF, and DWG. To import a shapefile, click on the File > Open Object option. It will then display the map on its interface. You can now use various view options to visualize the shapefile like zoom, layer transparency, locator window, legend view, and magnifier.
It also provides an Annotate feature which is accessible from its Tools menu. This feature lets you add/ draw annotations to the map using a pen. Apart from that, it offers a Geo toolbox, View-in-view, HyperIndex Navigator, and more features. You can also take a snapshot of the annotated map.
To use this software, you can download it from its official website.
See: How to convert DXF to GCode in Windows.
How do I view Shapefile online?
You can view a shapefile online using a dedicated web service. We have discussed a free online shapefile viewer called Mapshaper. It lets you open, view, inspect, and edit shapefiles online. To know more about it, you can check out the detail that we have mentioned earlier in this article.
How do I convert a CSV file to DBF?
A DBF file is an important component file for shapefiles as it stores attributes’ information of features. So, if you have data stored in CSV file format and you want to convert it to DBF, you can use this free service called AnyConv. Using it, you can import a CSV file and then click on the Convert button to quickly convert CSV to DBF.
That’s it! Hope this article helped you learn about Shapefiles aka SHP files and how you can view them in Windows 11/10.
Now read: What is IGS/ IGES file? How to view and convert IGS files in Windows?
