How to import an ESRI TIN into gINT via XYZ grid file


  1. Convert TIN to Raster using: 3D Analyst > Convert TIN to Raster. Set the cell size to a round number, e.g. 5.
  2. Convert Raster to Point Shape file using: 3D Analyst > Convert Raster to Features
    1. Set Output geometry type to “Point”
    2. [alternative: use ArcToolbox > Conversion Tools > Raster to Point]
  3. Convert Shape to xyz file using: ArcToolbox > Spatial Statistics Tools > Utilities > Export Feature Attribute to ASCII
    1. Check GRID_CODE
    2. Delimiter = comma
  4. The grid needs to be regular, with no holes, and a perfectly rectangular outline. If it is not, preprocess using Datgel Survey Tool > Grid File Pre-processing Tool 
    (http://www.datgel.com/DatgelSurveyTools.aspx#GridFilePreProcessingTool)