Export to CAD features are not same size as in GIS

[CherylTrine]

I'm using ArcMap 10.2.2.  I have a line feature class that was originally created from a CAD drawing.  When I export this line feature class back to CAD, the .dwg has the wrong length for the lines when looked at in AutoCAD but not when looked at in GIS.

I am not sure if there is something in my workflow that is causing this, but here is what I do:  The original CAD is brought into ArcMap, georeferenced, and then the spatial reference that I work in is assigned to it.  Then I export it to geodatabase feature classes.  The line lengths of the original CAD drawing when looked at in AutoCAD are the same as the line lengths when looked at in ArcMAP, and the GISfeature class line lengths are the same as the original CAD drawing.  (Everythings good up to this point.)  However, when I use the Export to CAD tool, the resulting .dwg has line lengths that are much shorter (a 76' line becomes a 6') when looked at in AutoCAD (when looked at in GIS it is fine).  What am I doing wrong, or what should I be doing?

Thanks,

Cheryl

[CherylTrine · Accepted solution]

Finally I have hit upon a solution.  If I reproject the feature classes that I want to export to CAD into a custom coordinate system in which the units are changed from feet to inches, then everything exports correctly.  The seed file, as it came from CAD, didn't need any units changed.  The block inserts exported at the proper size relative to the line features, without using a scale factor of 0.08333, and a 76' line in the GIS exports as a 76' line in CAD.

If anyone knows a better way to do this, I would like to hear about it.

Cheryl

[JerF]

Hi Cheryl,

I am having the same issue as you currently! I have been trying to follow the steps you have outlined but I am having trouble understanding what to do. Can you please go into more detail? Whenever I export to cad with a seed file all of the block inserts get layered one on top of each other. I have attached screen captures.