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Ellen, If you can handle CGM files, then that is an available vector representation (aside from postscript too). Here is an email link where I provided a program to strip out the header of a GEMPAK NC driver CGM file and create separate CGM files for each plot in the NMeta file. CGM is a common vector file standard. The RALCGM (Rutherford Appleton Laboratories) package is used by many to convert between formats as well. See: http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/cgi-bin/msgout?/glimpse/gempak/5331 We have several people here that have worked on converting GRIB to NetCDF to shape files. I will CC Jeff Weber in case you want to explore that route....though sounds like you have done some of that already on your own. I will be teaching the GEMPAK training workshop through Wednesday afternoon, so if you still have questions, I'll get to them as I am able., Steve Chiswell >From: "Ellen Lay" <address@hidden> >Organization: UCAR/Unidata >Keywords: 200310231848.h9NImUOb007217 > >Hello, > >This is Ellen Lay, a software developer working for the university of >Arizona. I am working with the technical people who produce the seasonal >forecasts at the CPC. They currently use GEMPAK to produce these forecasts >as GIFs which they post on their website. I need these forecasts in "shape >file" format. Does GEMPAK have a library function that will output an image >to shape file format? Does GEMPAK have a library program/function that will >output to some other format (preferably vector based), that would be easily >and accurately converted to shape file format (preferably in an automated >way)? I've already tried converting from grid format to shape file format >using ESRI's ARC view, and then using a contouring program, however I feel >like I've lost a lot of accuracy in my conversion. I figured you guys would >know the best way to do this since you make the software. > >Thanx so much for your help, > -Ellen > > > > >Ellen Lay >Systems Programmer >The University of Arizona >Dept of Hydrology and Water Resources >Office: (520) 626-8746 >Email: address@hidden >HWR S-Team Representative > >"Be the change you want to see in the world." -Gandhi > >