Convert APR to BPW

Understanding APR and BPW file formats

APR files are project files created by ArcView GIS, a geographic information system software developed by ESRI. These files store map layouts, spatial data references, and project settings, but do not contain the actual spatial data themselves. Instead, they reference shapefiles and other GIS data sources.

BPW files are world files associated with bitmap images, specifically Bitmap World files. They provide georeferencing information for raster images (such as BMP files), allowing GIS software to correctly position the image on a map. BPW files are plain text and contain transformation parameters.

Can you convert APR to BPW?

Direct conversion from APR to BPW is not possible because they serve fundamentally different purposes: APR is a project file, while BPW is a georeferencing file for raster images. However, if your goal is to export a map from an ArcView project and create a georeferenced image (with a BPW file), you can do so by exporting the map as a BMP image and generating the corresponding BPW file.

How to export a georeferenced BMP (BPW) from an APR project

1. Open your APR project in ArcView GIS.
2. Navigate to the map layout or view you wish to export.
3. Go to File → Export and select BMP as the output format.
4. Ensure the option to export world files is enabled (this will create a BPW file alongside the BMP).
5. Save the exported files. You will now have a BMP image and a BPW file containing the georeferencing information.

Recommended software for APR to BPW workflow

• ArcView GIS (ESRI): The native application for APR files, supporting export to BMP with BPW.
• ArcGIS Desktop: Newer ESRI software that can open APR projects (with some limitations) and export georeferenced images.
• QGIS: Open-source GIS software that can work with exported raster images and world files, though it does not open APR files directly.

Summary

While you cannot directly convert an APR file to a BPW file, you can export a map from ArcView as a BMP image with an accompanying BPW world file for georeferencing. ArcView GIS is the best tool for this workflow.