How to use USGS DLG vector data

[Redford1998]

I'm afraid, opt as a vector data format is unknown to me. I'm not sure (and my intenet connection is too limited at the moment to verify) but can't we obtain vector data in shape format via the National Map Viewer?

I didn't even know that the National Map viewer had vector data until you said it did but it wont let me bring up rail and not all the roads are there.

[geophil]

I didn't even know that the National Map viewer had vector data until you said it did but it wont let me bring up rail and not all the roads are there.

The new GeoPDF topo maps did not have rail until the 2013 editions. This may affect shape vector data as well. I guess they come from the same source.

What you also could try is Open Street Map vector data, but the data needs to be filtered and converted with JOSM, see here: http://forum.transdem.de/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=158

[wedgef5]

I know this thread is a couple of years old, so I don't know how much use this will be. I've written a Python script that will convert the USGS DLG Native (i.e. Optional) format into DXF. I have tested it on just one DLG file, but the resultant DXF output seems to line up well with the rail lines on OSM.

If people are interested in this, we can discuss how to share it.

Matt