1 Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. Tips for using and import CAD Data in ArcGIS

2 Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. Agenda CAD Data Format DWG, DXF, DGN Using CAD Data as a layer in ArcMap Tools & methods for importing CAD Data Common Problems

3 Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. 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

4 Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. CAD data formats Contains multiple entity types Points Lines Polygons Attributes Text styles Plot layouts Projection/Coordinate Systems References to external files

5 Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. 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

6 Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. On to a demo

7 Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. ArcGIS CAD to GIS Tools ArcCatalog ArcMap

8 Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. ArcCatalog Convert to multiple formats Shapefile Geodatabase Simple Data Loader ArcToolbox Works in Catalog Window

9 Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. ArcMap More flexible than ArcCatalog Also converts to multiple formats Can use selections Copy & Paste Object Loader ArcToolbox

10 Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. On to another demo

11 Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. ArcToolbox Can be used from either ArcMap or ArcCatalog Tools can be used in model or python script

12 Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. 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

13 Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. Feature Class to Geodatabase Python Script Uses FC to FC tool Multiple FC converted to single GDB

14 Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. 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

15 Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. 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

16 Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. 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

17 Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. Called Xrefs in AutoCAD & References in Microstation Allows for use of common drawings across multiple projects, designs and phases Used by design professionals to divide aspects of a project. Referenced drawings not visible when primary CAD file is opened in GIS External Reference Drawings Master Plotting Drawing Base Map Utility DrawingRights-of-Way Acquisition Drawing Architectural Detail Drawing

18 Copyright © 2012 eGIS Associates, Inc. All rights reserved. Questions & Contact Tripp Corbin, CFM, GISP CEO eGIS Associates, Inc ext 21