topic Re: exporting annotation to CAD generates empty CAD in Data Management Questions

exporting annotation to CAD generates empty CAD

LoriEmerson_McCormack — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 18:50:46 GMT

I want to export annotation from my shapefile to CAD, but when I try ArcToolbox -- Conversion Tools -- To CAD -- Export to CAD, I get an empty CAD file.

I do, however, get polyline features when I remove the CADType (Text field with value = "TEXT") and the TxtValue (Text field with value = parcel number) from my shapefile and then export to CAD.

I also tried exporting from a feature class in a file geodatabase, but still got an empty CAD file (no polylines).

What am I missing?

Re: exporting annotation to CAD generates empty CAD

BrettHill — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 15:57:12 GMT

I don't believe polylines can be converted to TEXT using the CADType = "TEXT". To produce a CAD file with TEXT entities you need to first label you polyline features with the desired attribute. Next, convert your feature labels to an annotation feature class stored in the file geodatabase. Once you have an annotation feature class you should be able to export it to CAD as you described.

Re: exporting annotation to CAD generates empty CAD

LoriEmerson_McCormack — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 15:19:34 GMT

Aha! Thanks, that worked. I also tried converting my polygons to point features and exporting to CAD (with CADType and TxtValue) and that worked too. I think generating annotation, though, is the cleaner way to go. I appreciate your help.