PLS CAD and ESRI Integration

[PaulWirth]

I want to automate the process of exporting PLS CAD designs files into ESRI usable format. Does anyone have any experience in this area?

I can export individual reports to get what I need in excel and then put them together and import the X,Y.

I can also export it as a XML file, but as of yet cannot figure out how to import it into a geodatabase, so I don't know if that would work.

Does anyone have any other ideas that would help? I have a few hundred files to do this with and want to automate the process for the future.

[AdrianWelsh]

Paul,

What are your PLS CAD format in? Is it not just dwg or a dgn? If so, you could look at the CAD to Geodatabase tool (in Pro or ArcMap)

CAD to Geodatabase—Conversion toolbox | ArcGIS Desktop 

[deleted-user-7SLqM7dlvYNN]

We have Lines Engineers who use it and AFAIK it can export .dxf and potentially KMZ\KML according to this. We've only managed to get our hands on .dxf's and they're a nightmare due to the complexity. I suspect if you can get a KML it'll be more simplified geometry which might work better.

Last bullet point on this page mentions exporting shapefiles for 30+ report but I'm not sure what the reports are (have never used the software).

If you manage to find a streamlined process I'd be interested in hearing about it.

[Pat_Hohl]

If you are still interested in this, there will be a presentation by Ben Brown from AEP at the User Conf. 2020. 

[RobertKrisher]

Here's the link: https://uc2020.esri.com/sessions/15345791/subsession/25135466/The-Journey-from-PLS-CADD-to-GIS

[Anonymous User]

@RobertKrisher @Pat_Hohl anyone got a copy of that presentation/video? The uc2020 domain no longer exists and I can't seem to find the 2020 user conference listed here https://www.esri.com/en-us/about/events/index/proceedings . Thanks

[Pat_Hohl]

@RobertKrisher  Unfortunately, that session is not planned to exist in the permanent proceedings.