FAQ
ARC to SHP Conversion
What are ARC files?
ARC is the file of line features in the vector format of MiraMon, a geographic information system and remote sensing program developed in Catalonia by Xavier Pons. In this format, each line on a map, such as a road, a river, a contour line, or a boundary, is stored as an arc, which is a chain of points joined by straight segments. The coordinates are kept in the .arc file itself, while the attributes of the lines, such as names and codes, are kept in a database table in the DBF format, and a text file with the .rel extension describes the whole layer. An arc layer is always accompanied by a file of nodes, the points where arcs begin, end, or meet, and the polygons of MiraMon are built from these arcs.
What are SHP files?
The SHP (Shapefile) format stores vector files compatible with various Geographical Information System (GIS) software. SHP was developed by the Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), an American provider of GIS software and geodatabase management solutions, with the aim of improving interoperability between GIS software produced by ESRI and other developers. An SHP file usually contains vectorial descriptions of geospatial data (e.g. rivers, lakes), including specific attributes.
Can reaConverter convert ARC to SHP?
Yes! reaConverter instantly converts .arc to .shp with perfect quality preservation. With its batch processing feature, you can convert multiple files at once in just a few clicks. You can even convert images directly from Windows Explorer using the right-click menu — fast and convenient.
What is reaConverter used for?
reaConverter is a Windows converter for 800+ formats, GIS data among them. For ARC to SHP it replaces the usual detour through QGIS, ArcGIS or ogr2ogr: add the files, pick the output format, and the whole batch converts offline. Surveyors, planners and engineering teams use it to pass data between GIS, CAD and everyday document formats.
Why choose offline conversion with reaConverter?
reaConverter is a software program that is used for offline files conversion. Your proprietary documents never leave your computer – essential for architects, engineers, healthcare and government contractors handling classified projects. Meets GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA, and corporate security policies by ensuring files never cross borders or third-party systems.
Can I convert ARC to SHP online?
If you only need to convert a few ARC files to SHP format, feel free to try our free online free online ARC to SHP converter — perfect for small batches with no installation needed!
How can I turn ARC files into SHP on my computer?
The best way to change ARCs to SHPs on your PC is to install a quality piece of software, such as reaConverter. This software is extremely efficient in managing a wide range of batch files conversions, including conversion from ARC to SHP.
How can I automate ARC to SHP files conversion?
reaConverter supports all the most useful automation features such as right-click сonversion and Watch Folders for the most efficient automated files conversion in any software of this type.
Is there a way to convert ARC files to SHP using the command prompt?
reaConverter provides full access to all its features via Windows command line, including a high-performance command-line arc to shp converter for batch processing.
What else can I do with reaConverter?
Convert PDFAdd watermark on imageConvert GIS filesConvert Gerber imagesChange image color space
Related conversions
Other ways to convert ARC files, and other sources that convert to SHP.