working with shape files

[tecton3d]

I have an urban design competition and have access to what seems to be a wonderful amount of GIS data via the city's ftp site but they have irregular "shape" files listed instead of common vector filetypes (.dwg, .dxf, .eps, etc...) that I can't do anything with. Ideally, I'd like to get these into Autocad and from there to Illustrator for graphic work.

 

Has anyone worked with these file types before? If so, how did you get them into a vector software? It looks like the .DBF file is the largest, and possibly the file i'm after to convert into something manipulatable ~ but then again, I'm not sure

 

I have access to Autocad, 3ds max, illustrator, photosop, etc... any help is appreciated! Thanks.

[tecton3d]

for what it's worth: i found this website with an online demo, which can export to .eps, but wont' work with big files....

 

http://www.mapshaper.org/test/demo.html

[SuliHawk]

ArcView or ArcGIS files, you should be able to follow this link to find a free download. http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcgis-for-autocad/index.html

[Dave Buchhofer]

I've had decent luck with Arcv2CAD http://www.guthcad.com/arcv2cad.htm

[tecton3d]

It looks like Arcv2CAD 5.0 is going to do what I need.

 

many thanks for the replies!

 

prost:D