How can I symbolize a shapefile in ArcGIS and transfer that symbology to AutoCAD?

Question

My boss wants to see the topography contours displayed on an AutoCAD drawing such that the lines display on a gradient scale. My shapefile has elevation contour lines with a contour elevation number assigned to each one. So I can sort them by unique values from lowest to highest and then symbolize them with a color ramp. This makes a nice display and tells the story at a glance.

But we want to use this data as a background layer in an AutoCAD drawing and I have no clue how to export it to AutoCAD and retain the symbology.

DonRodgers · Answer

It worked perfectly. Thank you.

Don Rodgers

City of Greenfield

GIS Coordinator

DonRodgers · Answer

thank you. working on it...

Don Rodgers

City of Greenfield

GIS Coordinator

David · Answer

If you share it as a web layer to ArcGIS Online, you can access from AutoCAD using the free ArcGIS for AutoCAD plug in. The latest version is currently in beta, but it is vastly superior to the older version.

Download the old plug in here.

Download and install the beta plug-in here.

The beta site also has tutorials and videos that show how to use it. Once your symboloize shapefile is shared online, you can access it through the plug-in.