How to Open a .shp File

You can open SHP files, or "Shape" files, on your computer with AutoCAD, which is a computer aided drafting program. An SHP file contains a sequence of precisely formatted data that is compiled, loaded and inserted into an AutoCAD drawing. Once you have completed the necessary steps to prepare your SHP file properly for your AutoCAD file, you will be able to perform the "Shape" command to quickly insert the file into your drawing as needed.

Instructions

1. • 1
     Launch AutoCad.
   • 2
     Click inside the "Command" section at the bottom of the window, type "Compile," and then press "Enter."
   • 3
     Browse to your SHP file, and then double-click it. This will compile your SHP file into an SHX file.
   • 4
     Type "Load" into the command section, and then press "Enter."
   • 5
     Browse to the SHX file that was just created, and then double-click it.
   • 6
     Type "Shape" into the "Command" section, and then press "Enter."
   • 7
     Type the name of the shape specified in your original SHP file, and the press "Enter" to open the file in AutoCAD.