# Resources

## Shape file tools

Shape files are available from many sources and in numerous formats. The following applications may be useful when working with shape (`.shp`) files:

- **Mapshaper**: If you wish to view or simplify `.shp` files, you can download it from [mapshaper.org](<https://mapshaper.org/>).
- **DBFExplorer**: When you have `.shp` files, you may want to modify the `.dbf` file that contains the information about each shape. You can download a free DBF editor from [pablosoftwaresolutions.com](<http://www.pablosoftwaresolutions.com/html/dbf_explorer.html>).
- **FWTools**: If you have a `.shp` file that doesn't conform to the WGS84 co-ordinate system, you need to convert it. You can do this using `ogr2ogr`, included in FWTools, which you can download from [fwtools.maptools.org](<http://fwtools.maptools.org/>). Example usage (converts from British National Grid to WGS84):

  Text Only

  ```text
  ogr2ogr -t_srs WGS84 -s_srs EPSG:27700 destination.shp source.shp
  ```