Exporting 3D Contour Lines from GIS to 3D CAD format files

Question

Hi,
does anyone know which tool I can use for add z-value field for exporting contours to 3D dxf, dwg or dgn?
Thank you so much.

KarenHodge · Answer

Export To CAD generates Z values in the CAD drawing one of two ways:
1.  From a 3d geometry
2.  From a field 'Elevation'.

If you create a field 'Elevation' and copy the contents of the 'Contour' field into that field, your exported CAD drawing will be a 3d line with the z Value set from the Elevation field.

However...Export to CAD only supports exporting to V8, not V7.

Hope this helps.

--Karen HodgeI'm having the same problem.

Contours generated in ArcMap10 (with spatial analyst contour from raster) creates me a lovely contour file with elevations in a 'Contour' field.

How do I get that to microstation Version7 in 3d?

I  have tried the directd export to dgn v8 and then downgrading it.  I've also used FME to go from Shape to DGN v7.

No matter what I've tried, the contours come through nicely but without any elevation.  I've used a variety of 3d 'seedfiles' for the dgn without any luck.

What am I missing?

Thanks,

-t

JeffreySwain · Answer

Did you convert the contours to 3d in ArcMap prior to exporting them to CAD/Microstation?  I would use the tool Feature to 3d by Attribute to convert the 2d contours to a 3d line.  Then export to CAD/Microstation.

RamB · Answer

This is easy task if you have access to autocad map 3d.

regards,