Shapefile Properties Dialog Box

The Shapefile Properties dialog box lets you define a shapefile background layer. Use the following controls to define the properties of the background layer:


Filename	Lists the path and filename of the shapefile to use as a background layer.
Browse	Opens a browse dialog box, letting you select the file to be used as a background layer.
Label	Identifies the background layer.
Unit	Lets you select the unit associated with the spatial data within the shapefile. For example, if the X and Y coordinates of the shapefile represent feet, choose ft. from the drop-down list.
Transparency	Lets you specify the transparency level of the background layer, where 0 has the least transparency and 100 has the most.
Line Color	Sets the color of the layer elements. Click the Ellipsis (...) button to open a Color palette containing more color choices.
Line Thickness	Sets the thickness of the outline of the layer elements. Use values beginning at 0, where 0 is the minimum thickness and larger values are thicker.
Fill Color	Sets the fill color of the layer elements. Click the Ellipsis (...) button to open a Color palette containing more color choices.
Fill Figure	Lets you show or hide the selected fill color for the layer elements. Select this check box to display the selected background color; clear it to turn off the background color and only the outline displays.

To access the Shapefile Properties dialog box, click New File in the Background Layers manager, then select an .shp file.