------------------
PLS2XY README FILE
------------------ 

------------------------
CONTENTS OF DISTRIBUTION
------------------------ 

The contents of the distribution are this readme file, 2 AML files, 
and 7 ARC EXPORT files: 

 readme.txt
 pls2xy.aml
 plsfile.aml
 hew-grid.e00
 hns-grid.e00
 q-grid.e00
 qhew-grid.e00
 qhns-grid.e00
 qq-grid.e00
 sec-grid.e00 

PLS2XY.AML is the engine which performs the individual coordinate conversions.

PLSFILE.AML is useful for running PLS2XY.AML in batch mode, processing an 
INFO table containing multiple PLSS descriptions to convert to XY coordinate 
descriptions. 

The ARC EXPORT files are section subdivision template coverages required by 
PLS2XY.AML. Use ARC IMPORT to restore these coverages before attempting to 
execute PLS2XY.AML.



-----------------
DATA DEPENDENCIES
----------------- 

PLS2XY.AML requires the following coverages: 

PLS Sections coverage (supplied by the user):
A coverage containing polygons of the sections in the area you are working in. 

  * The user must customize the path to this coverage in PLS2XY.AML on 
    lines 224-225. 

  * The user must customize the ARC RESELECT statement in PLS2XY.AML on 
    line 357 to suit the sections coverage you are using. 

Subdivision grid coverages (supplied with the program):
  SEC-GRID (full section grid)
  HNS-GRID (north-south half-section grid)
  HEW-GRID (east-west half-section grid)
  Q-GRID (quarter-section grid)
  QHNS-GRID (north-south half-quarter-section grid)
  QHEW-GRID (east-west half-quarter-section grid)
  QQ-GRID (quarter-quarter section grid) 

  * The user must customize the path to these coverages in PLS2XY.AML
    on line 223.



----------
HOW TO USE
---------- 

For processing more than a few records, use the PLS2FILE.AML program to 
control the PLS2XY.AML execution.



----------------
USAGE FOR PLS2XY
---------------- 

USAGE: PLS2XY <township> <section> <subdivision 1> <subdivision 2>
              {coordinate variable} 

Example: PLS2XY T24NR13E 12 NW SE .PLS$XY 

Converts a PLS section subdivision description to a spatial coordinate.

Arguments:
---------- 

<township>      The township description; example - T24NR13E. 

<section>       The section number. 

<subdivision 1> The larger section subdivison unit; example - NE 

<subdivision 2> The smaller section subdivison unit; example - SW 

{coordinate variable} The name of the AML variable to return the spatial
coordinate in. The default is .PLS$XY



-----------------
USAGE FOR PLSFILE
----------------- 

USAGE: PLSFILE <in file> <township item> <range item> <section item>
               <first subdivision item> <second subdivision item>
               {x item} {y item} {from record} {to record} 

Controls a batch session of the PLS2XY.AML.

Arguments:
---------- 

<in file>       The input INFO table containing records to process 

<township item> Name of item in in_file to read township description from 

<range item>    Name of item in in_file to read range description from 

<section item>  Name of item in in_file to read section number from 

<first subdivision item>
                Name of item in in_file to read first 
                subdivision description from 

<second subdivision item>
                Name of item in in_file to read second 
                subdivision description from 

{x item}        Name of item in in_file to write X coordinate to 

{y item}        Name of item in in_file to write Y coordinate to 

{from record}   Number of record in in_file to start processing at 

{to record}     Number of record in in_file to stop processing at



------
NOTES:
------
The spatial coordinate returned is the estimated location of the center of 
the section subdivision. 

The coordinates will be generated in the same coordinate system as the PLS 
sections coverage.

If the section does not have four valid corners, pls2xy will estimate the 
location of the missing corner(s) based on the position of the valid corners 
and the bearing of the partial section line. 

The user must have write access to the location pls2xy is executed from as the 
program will need to create temporary coverages and scratch files. 

These AMLs have been used extensively on UNIX ArcInfo but have not been yet 
tested on Windows NT ArcInfo.



----------
TO DO LIST
---------- 

Add support for half sections and half ranges. 

Test compatibility with Windows NT version of ArcInfo.



----------------------
DISTRIBUTION LIABILITY
---------------------- 

The Washington State Department of Ecology provides these AML programs 
"as is" Ecology makes no guarantee or warranty concerning the accuracy of 
the algorithms contained in the programs. Ecology further makes no warranties, 
either expressed or implied as to any other matter whatsoever, including, 
without limitation, the condition of the product, or its fitness for any 
particular purpose. The burden for determining fitness for use lies entirely 
with the user. Although these programs have been run successfully on computers 
at Ecology, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by Ecology regarding 
the use of these programs on any other system, nor does the fact of 
distribution constitute or imply any such warranty. 

In no event shall Ecology have any liability whatsoever for payment of 
any consequential, incidental, indirect, special, or tort damages of any 
kind, including, but not limited to, any loss of profits arising out of use 
of or reliance on the programs or arising out of the delivery, installation, 
operation, or support by Ecology.




+----------------------------------------------------------------------------+
      ______________ Dan Saul
____  |            | GIS Analyst/Programmer
\   | |            | Washington State Department of Ecology
 |  //             | P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600, USA
 |  *Olympia       | Phone:      (360) 407-6419
  \       _________| FAX:        (360) 407-6493
   `-----'           E-Mail:     dsau461@ecy.wa.gov
                     Web:        http://www.ecy.wa.gov/services/gis/index.html
+----------------------------------------------------------------------------+

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