AUTOCAD to GeoDatabase

Question

Hello,

I am currently helping my client migrate data from autocad to geodatabase.

I notice there are different type of entity aka autocad feature classes.

1) May I know what is the mapping of autocad entity type to feature classes?

2) May I know if there are some entity type that cannot be exported?

3) http://downloads.esri.com/support/whitepapers/sde_/J8687_CAD-GIS_Geodatabase.pdf

I have read the following document but there is not much information on that.

please kindly assist. Thanks

KarenHodge · Answer

As another poster mentioned, the first thing I'd recommend is getting a sample drawing from your client and opening in it ArcMap to see what you get.

But to answer your specific questions:

1.  Mapping of Entity Types to Feature Classes.
ArcMap maps any supported linear feature to the "Lines" feature class within the drawing dataset.  This includes entity types such as lines, lightweight polylines, arcs, ellipses, 2d polylines, 3d polylines, splines, circles, mlines, etc.

Any AutoCAD entity that is a closed linear feature is mapped as an area.  This includes closed LW polylines, circles, arcs, closed splines, etc.

Any AutoCAD entity that can be represented as a single point is mapped to the Points feature class.  Included are points and block references.

(You may want to review: http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.1/#/Supported_AutoCAD_and_MicroStation_geometry/00100000007v000000/)

2.  Unsupported geometric types
When migrating from CAD to ArcGIS, some types aren't supported, but not many.  The main requirement is that the entity be in model space, not paper space.  Unsupported types include dimensions and custom entity types that require an AutoCAD extension.  Off the top of my head, I can't think of anything else.

Probably your best resource is the online help document.  You can start here:  http://resources.arcgis.com/en/help/main/10.1/#/What_is_CAD_data/001000000001000000/

but be sure to take a look at the whole section on CAD under Geodata/Data Types/CAD in the help document.

If you truly want to migrate the data from AutoCAD to the geodatabase, you'll also want to look into how Geoprocessing can help you.  Many of the tools you use in geoprocessing work directly on CAD data:  Feature Class to Feature Class, Copy Features, Append, etc.

Hope this helps!

Hello,

I am currently helping my client migrate data from autocad to geodatabase.

I notice there are different type of entity aka autocad feature classes.

1) May I know what is the mapping of autocad entity type to feature classes?

2) May I know if there are some entity type that cannot be exported?

3) http://downloads.esri.com/support/whitepapers/sde_/J8687_CAD-GIS_Geodatabase.pdf

I have read the following document but there is not much information on that.

please kindly assist. Thanks

KarlWilson · Answer

Try using FME to manage your CAD to GIS migration.
http://fmepedia.safe.com/topic/CAD-and-GIS

You can build workflows visually and have fine control over your data.

RobertBorchert · Answer

Essentially there are 4 types of autocad data you can export.

lines
polygons
points
text

Text will export as a point.

There are many features that will export as multiple features.  For example Blocks will export as points, lines, closed lines, hatch polygons etc.

Instead of exporting the AutoCAD dwg as shape files try opening the dwg directly into ArcGIS and do queries to select various layers in the drawing and export them to your database.

There really is no simple way for me to explain the entire process.   A good share of my current career has been spent converting AutoCAD drawings to ArcGIS.  There are a lot of tools built in for dealing with AutoCAD but I have found it is simple grunt work that gets it done the best.