STEPS

1. Go to: http://edc.usgs.gov/geodata/

2. Download SDTS data

3. Unzip/untar the files using WinZip or GunZip (If you use WinZip, look under         options/Configuration/Miscellaneous."  The "TAR file smart CR/LF conversion" must NOT have a check mark)

4. This will give you a bunch of .ddf files

5. Locate the SDTS2DXF translator (available from numerous sources on the web) see link in next step 

6. Download SDTS2DXF.EXE (Place in directory with .ddf files)

7. Go to a DOS prompt and change to the your file directory

8. For this step, different procedures are required depending on the data scale involved:

FOR 100K MAPS:
    Type: sdts2dxf BD01 01 bd100k1
              sdts2dxf BD01 02 bd100k2
              sdts2dxf BD01 03 bd100k3
              sdts2dxf BD01 04 bd100k4

    where: sdts2dxf = the executable
           BD01          = first 4 characters in SDTS file name
           01-04          = tile numbers
           bd100k?      = your name for the dxf file
           
FOR 7.5' MAPS:
    Type: sdts2dxf BD01 01 bd24k where:
           sdts2dxf   = the executable
           BD01       = first 4 characters of SDTS file name
           01             = numbers in the 7 and 8 positions in the file name
           bd24k       = your name for dxf file

 FOR 1:2,000,000 MAPS:    
    Type: sdts2dxf MOBD 01 bd2m where:
           sdts2dxf    = the executable
           MOBD      = first 4 characters of the SDTS file name
           01              = numbers in the 7 and 8 positions in the file name
           bd2m         = your name for the dxf file

9. Start AutoCad

10. Click File/Import

11. Change file type to .dxf

12. Find file in your directory click OK

13. Click View/Zoom/Extents to make file visible.

Note: If bringing in the 100K you will need to import all 4 tiles.

If you need to take a quick look at the files prior to importing, you can just drag and drop the .tar.gz file into the free viewer available from http://mcmcweb.er.usgs.gov/drc/dlgv32pro/

SDTS TO AUTOCAD DXF--Please note that the current conversion from SDTS TVP to DXF does not include attribute information.

Autodesk announced new drivers that support SDTS data for AutoCAD Map 2000 release 4 and Land Development Desktop release 2 through the GIS Data Transformer Extension.  More information is online at
http://pointa01.autodesk.com/

What is SDTS?

The Spatial Data Transfer Standard, or SDTS, is a robust way of transferring earth-referenced spatial data between dissimilar computer systems with the potential for no information loss. It is a transfer standard that embraces the philosophy of self-contained transfers, i.e. spatial data, attribute, georeferencing, data quality report, data dictionary, and other supporting metadata all included in the transfer - See also http://mcmcweb.er.usgs.gov/sdts/standard.html(Source: USGS)

Also of interest, the popular SDTS2DEM utility by Gregg Townsend http://www.cs.arizona.edu/topovista/sdts2dem/. The sdts2dem program translates USGS DEM files from SDTS format to "native" format.

Other useful articles and resources:

• A Primer on working with SDTS Data
• FGDC Suggested State Clearinghouse Websites
• The GISuser's Guide to locating and downloading Free USGS data
• GISuser Guide to downloading Free 7.5 minute DEMs
• GISuser Guide to downloading Free 1:250K USGS DEMs