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3.3 Setting up the input.dat file with Inedit and Executing Marxan3.3.1 Running IneditYou are now ready to create the input.dat file usingthe Inedit.exe program, the “Input File Editor forMarxan” program created by Ian Ball. The input.datfile will be read into Marxan, using the user-definedparameters. This section was adapted from Huggins(2005) and will walk you through the process ofcreating the input.dat file using the text files youjust created with the MIG tool.You have the option of running the Inedit.exe andMarxan.exe outside of ArcGIS, or the MarxanTools provide an option to specify the location ofthe executable files using the “Run Inedit” and“Run Marxan” options on the drop-down menu. If you have not already specified thelocation of these executable files, the tool will prompt you to locate them. You must dothis for every new ArcGIS session. It is useful to have the Inedit executable file locatedinside each Marxan directory you plan to use. If you do not already have an input.dat filein the same directory, an error will appear. Click OK and disregard the error. We will becreating this file so the next time you launch Inedit, the error will not appear.1. The first screen is to set the Problem. Theoptions consist of the number of runs to beperformed and the level of clustering desired.Type 100 runs in the first ‘Miscellaneous –Repeat Runs’ box. 200 runs are also often used,but take twice as long to run. 100 runs are usedhere due to time constraints. Type 0 into theBoundary Modifier box as shown here. The typeof input file to be used is the New FreeformStyle.TNC Protected Area Tools (PAT) Version 3.0The Nature Conservancy, August 200966