Tips for using
and import
CAD Data in ArcGIS
Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc.
All rights reserved.
1
Agenda
 CAD Data Format
 DWG, DXF, DGN
 Using CAD Data as a layer in ArcMap
 Tools & methods for importing CAD Data
 Common Problems
Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc.
All rights reserved.
2
CAD Data formats
 DXF & DWG = AutoCAD
 DGN = Microstation
 Commonly referred to as a Drawing File
 Contains multiple entity types
 Also stores graphics (layouts)
 Some can store attribute information
 Blocks
 Object Data (Map & Civil 3D)
 Can also reference other CAD files
 Indicated by Blue Icons
 Edit after converting to geodatabase FC
or shapefile
Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc.
All rights reserved.
3
CAD data formats
 Contains multiple entity types
 Points
 Lines
 Polygons
 Attributes
 Text styles
 Plot layouts
 Projection/Coordinate Systems
 References to external files
Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc.
All rights reserved.
4
Layers & Levels
 Primary organization
structure
 Layers = DWG or DXF
 Levels = DGN
 Users can create an
unlimited number of layers
 Can contain multiple feature
types
 User defined attributes
 Name
 Color
 Print
 More
Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc.
All rights reserved.
5
On to a demo
Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc.
All rights reserved.
6
ArcGIS CAD to GIS Tools
 ArcCatalog
 ArcMap
Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc.
All rights reserved.
7
ArcCatalog
 Convert to multiple
formats
 Shapefile
 Geodatabase
 Simple Data Loader
 ArcToolbox
 Works in Catalog
Window
Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc.
All rights reserved.
8
ArcMap
 More flexible than ArcCatalog
 Also converts to multiple formats
 Can use selections
 Copy & Paste
 Object Loader
 ArcToolbox
Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc.
All rights reserved.
9
On to another demo
Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc.
All rights reserved.
10
ArcToolbox
 Can be used from either
ArcMap or ArcCatalog
 Tools can be used in
model or python script
Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc.
All rights reserved.
11
ArcToolbox –
Feature Class to Feature Class
Tool
 Converts multiple
formats to GDB
Feature Class or
Shapefile
 Can select features
using expression
 Tool accessible
multiple methods
Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc.
All rights reserved.
12
Feature Class to Geodatabase
 Python Script
 Uses FC to FC tool
 Multiple FC converted
to single GDB
Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc.
All rights reserved.
13
CAD to Geodatabase Tool
 Creates new Feature
dataset in existing
GDB
 Converts entire
drawing file
 Can convert multiple
CAD files at one time
 Can use PRJ and WLD
files
Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc.
All rights reserved.
14
Import CAD Annotation Tool
 Converts CAD Annotation
to GDB Annotation
 Desktop Basic has limited
functionality
 Can covert CAD Layers to
individual feature classes
(Standard or Advanced) or
merge to single FC
 If used in ArcMap, you can
use layers as input
Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc.
All rights reserved.
15
Common Problems
 Unlimited drawing area for DWG & DXF
 New release formats (2013 most current
AutoCAD)
 Specialty objects (arcs, ellipses, splines)
 Data not on correct layer or level
 GIS cannot access layout (Paper Space - DWG or
DXF) information
 Use of Xrefs
 Often not georeferenced
Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc.
All rights reserved.
16
Questions & Contact
Tripp Corbin, CFM, GISP
CEO
eGIS Associates, Inc.
tcorbin@egisassociates.com
678-710-9710 ext 21
www.egisassociates.com
Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc.
All rights reserved.
18