SEF Import Options

There are several options that effect the way SEF files are imported:

1. File Creation Options. SEF files contain a tree-like structure that helps organize the cave data. You have the option of putting each "branch" of this tree structure into a separate file or all in the same file. Which option you choose depends on the data. If it is a small cave, it probably makes sense to put all the data into one file. If the cave is large, complex or contains multiple caves or surface surveys, it makes sense to have the data in separate files and organized in a Compass project.

2. Unique Filenames. In the process of converting data, the program may have to create several files to hold the data. The converter creates the filenames based on the directory names in the SEF file. Sometimes the filename created is the same as another file in the same project. If this happens, the new file will over-write previous file and the data will be lost. Turning on the "Unique Filenames” option causes the program to check the disk before creating a new file. If the filename already exists, the program will create a unique filename.

The main problem with creating unique filenames occurs if you process the same data more than once. When the program looks at the disk to see if a file already exists, it will see the files from the previous conversion, and so it will use unique names with the new files. Thus every time you convert the data you will end up with another set of converted files, each with unique names. For this reason, you should keep the "Unique Filenames" option turned off unless you know the data has duplicate names.