Converting AutoCAD .dwg files to feature classes

[JollyJacob]

Hi All,

I need help urgently on this. Our client receives AutoCAD .dwg files from their contractors which the  application we are creating then has to read and convert into feature classes and store in the spatial database. We have been told that it is not possible to do this in ArcGIS or if the feature classes have been registered with ArcSDE. The database being used is Oracle Spatial. This this cannot be done, then what would be the workaround. If someone has come across this problem, please can you shed some light on this. It would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Jolly Jacob

[DominiqueBroux]

It's possible to convert a cad file to feature classes by using the geoprocessing tool 'CAD to Geodatabase' ('Conversion Tools' -> 'To Geodatabase' -> 'CAD to Geodatabase').

More info about working with CAD data here :
http://proceedings.esri.com/library/userconf/cahinvrug09/papers/tech-workshops/integrating_cad_data_...

[JollyJacob]

Thanks, Dominique. My query was pertaining to performing this action in a web application and not in the Desktop scenario. Would it be possible in a web application to read a .dwg file and in the web application itself (or in a separate web based module) convert it to feature classes and store in the geodatabase and then perform editing on it (if necessary).

Regards
Jolly

[DominiqueBroux]

There is nothing in the ESRI client library allowing to read an AutoCAD file and convert it to features (and I don't know any third party library or any sample doing that but ....?).

At first glance my advice would be to execute a geoprocessing service from your web application. This geoprocessing service could process the CAD file and create the features in the geodatabase (by using the CADToGeodatabase GP tool referenced in my previous post).
Then you will be able to edit the features in your web application with the standard editing functionalities of the SL API.