Integrating CAD Data with ArcGIS

Agenda
An Overview of CAD Drawings
CAD Data Structure in ArcGIS
Visualization
Georeferencing
Data Conversion
ArcGIS for AutoCAD
Q & A
CAD Drawings - Overview
Widely used vector based spatial data format
Standard format for many organizations
Extensive 2D and 3D geometry support
Entity attribution capabilities
Multi-disciplinary usage
Engineering, Surveying, Architecture
CAD Integration Scenarios
Cartography
CAD layers serve as map elements (focus or background)
Database Integration
CAD feature attributes link with other databases
Spatial Analysis
CAD feature classes interact with other GIS layers
Editing
CAD features serve as reference for new features, snapping
Conversion
CAD feature classes exported into GIS formats (and vice versa)
CAD Drawing Formats and Versions
ArcGIS supports the two most common CAD file formats
AutoCAD DWG/DXF
MicroStation DGN
Supported file versions:
DWG/DXF AutoCAD Release 12 through AutoCAD 2009
DGN MicroStation 5.x through MicroStation V8
ArcGIS Direct Read Capabilities
CAD Direct Read Built In
ArcCatalog
ArcMap
ArcScene and ArcGlobe
(to see 3D view of CAD data)
Core technology
Available at all ArcGIS license levels
No conversion required
No extensions required
Data Interoperability
CAD Data Model in ArcGIS
CAD data is comprised of:
Geometry
Attributes
Coordinate
System/Projection
World File
CAD entity geometry is represented
as GIS feature geometry
CAD data can be projected to
overlay with other GIS layers
CAD drawings can be transformed from
local coordinates to real-world location
CAD properties and database links
are transferred to attribute tables
ABC
CAD Data Structure in ArcGIS
Viewable as separate feature classes and as a drawing dataset
CAD feature classes vs. CAD drawing datasets
Parcels.dgn
Annotation
Multipatch
Parcels.dgn
Point
Polygon
Polyline
Parcels.prj
Text, tags and attribute definitions
Polygons and surfaces used for 3D representation
Drawing dataset represents the entire CAD file as a single layer
Points, blocks and cells
Lines, polylines, curves and arcs
Closed areas such as polygons, ellipses and circles
Projection files define a coordinate system for a CAD
dataset. They are recommended but not required.
CAD Data Visualization
Feature and annotation rendering
Directly reads CAD defined properties
CAD Feature Rendering
Previous design ArcGIS 9.1 and
earlier
Only continuous lines in a single color
Default font is Arial
New design ArcGIS 9.2 and 9.3
Linetypes preserved
Color definitions assigned by RGB
values
Lineweights and linetypes rendered
automatically
Text properties such as bold,
italicized and orientation maintained
True type fonts transfer seamlessly
ESRI-CAD Style
DGN and DWG categories
Additional symbols can be added
More symbols to come in future releases
Georeferencing Defining Spatial Reference
Coordinate systems and projection files
Transformations and world files
Assigning Spatial Reference to CAD Data
Coordinate Systems
Initial use of CAD drawings in ArcGIS will not have coordinate
system defined
Can select, create or import from another
dataset
Not required, but recommended
Projection Files
Assigns coordinate system to CAD files
Created in ArcCatalog
CAD Feature Dataset Properties dialog
Save as .prj file with same name and in
same folder location as CAD file
Can be copied and reused for other CAD
drawings
CAD Transformations
Two-point similarity transformation method
Scale, Rotate, and Translate
Aspect ratio always maintained
Cannot skew or rubber sheet CAD drawing
Transformation managed by .wld files
World file must use CAD file name
Must also reside in same folder
Usage
CAD drawings that are created in paper space
CAD drawings that do not have a known coordinate system
Transformation Tools
Transformations tab
Located in the CAD feature Layer Properties dialog
Type in coordinates to define transformation
Apply scale factor and rotation angle by value
Transformation Tools Continued
Georeferencing Toolbar
Interactively move CAD layer and create control points in ArcMap
Universal Projection and World Files
Universal Projection File
ESRI_CAD.PRJ
Applies same coordinate system to all CAD files in a workspace
Universal World File
ESRI_CAD.WLD
Applies identical transformation to all CAD files in a workspace
Useful for set of tiled CAD drawings
Data Conversion: CAD to GIS
Converting CAD drawings to Geodatabase feature classes
CAD ArcGIS
Update existing Geodatabases
New as-built information
Geometry (linework) from recent survey
New Geodatabase based on CAD data sources
Tiled CAD drawings combined to create a seamless dataset
Supporting database
Editing
Topology
Edge matching; Rubber sheeting
Advanced cartographic symbolization
Representations; Maplex
Why Convert CAD Data?
Common Geoprocessing Tools for Import
Reformats the CAD data into predefined highly normalized
tables and feature classes
Import from CAD
Turns tiled CAD files into a single feature class Merge
Used in Model Builder only to select child data elements Select Data
Similar to Make Feature Layer but creates output on disk Select
Temporary files with field control (Selections) Make Feature Layer
CAD text to GIS annotation feature classes Import CAD Annotation
Similar to Copy Features except includes a query builder Feature Class to Feature Class
Simple way to convert CAD feature class Copy Features
Conversion Methods
Export Data
Quick way to convert CAD data
Output data container not required
Copy and Paste in Edit Session
Copy features from CAD feature class
Paste features into existing GDB feature class or shapefile
Feature Class to Feature Class
Wizard-driven tool
Ability to query/select features for conversion
Import from CAD and Import CAD Annotation
Support advanced translation workflows
Preparing CAD Data for ArcGIS
Organize and name layers/levels
Create data with real-world coordinates
Use blocks/cells for attributing objects
i.e., points inside polygons or closed polyline areas
Separate cartographic objects
i.e., title, blocks, legends from geometry
Use group cells or blocks selectively
Consider exploding process and cell/block origin
Use entities/elements currently supported by ArcGIS
List of supported CAD entities available in ArcGIS Desktop Help
Avoid use of splines when digitizing in CAD
Converting CAD Point Data to ArcGIS
Point definition in CAD vs. GIS
Line with zero length
Block/Cell
Marker symbol
Grabbing point data from blocks/cells
Where is the cell origin?
Where is the block insertion point?
Where will the marker symbol appear, i.e. data
shift?
Extraneous point data
Insertion points for group blocks/cells
Duplicate information
Assign attributes
Points inside polygons or closed polyline areas
Converting CAD Line Data to ArcGIS
Polyline definition in CAD vs. GIS
CAD:
Line has two vertices
Polyline has three or more vertices
GIS:
Polyline includes all line-types
Closed polylines
Duplicates polygon feature class
Splines and B-Splines
Converting CAD Polygon Data to ArcGIS
Polygon definition in CAD vs. GIS
CAD:
Polygon has minimum of four vertices
Last vertex must be in same location as first
vertex, i.e. manually closed
GIS:
Polygon has a minimum of three vertices
Automatically closed
Examples of Polygon Data
Closed polylines
Duplicates polyline feature class
Hatch/Fill
2D and 3D objects
Faces
Shapes
Solids
Surfaces
Considerations for 3D CAD Data
PolylineZ
Consistent z-values
Spikes
PolygonZ
Closed polyline with z-value
Shape
Solid
Extrusion necessary?
Multipatch
Solid
Textured surface
Feature outline
Data Conversion: GIS to CAD
Converting Geodatabase feature classes to CAD data
ArcGIS
CAD
Exporting GIS to CAD Formats
Provides interoperability between GIS and CAD software
Roundtrip workflow
Enables GIS users to create CAD drawings without having CAD
software
Allows GIS users to generate data in standard CAD formats
AutoCAD DWG/DXF
MicroStation DGN
User defined attribution and symbology
Seed files
Seed Files for CAD Conversion
Blank template used to define a new file
Provides additional control for CAD drawing creation
Symbology; Geometry; Layer/level structure
CAD standards
Used to control Blocks or Cell definitions in Export to CAD
MicroStation requires seed file for design file creation
Design plane, appropriate dimensions, units and origin, 2D or 3D
Mapping Specification for DWG (MSD)
Open source framework
Developed by ESRI
Codes information in DWGs
GIS feature classes + attributes
Coordinate systems
Utilizes CAD standards to define schema and
store data
Leveraged by ArcGIS CAD tools at 9.3
CAD direct read/import tools
Export to CAD
Provides improved interoperability between
CAD and GIS
Available in the ArcGIS Online Help system:
http://webhelp.esri.com/arcgisdesktop/9.3/index
cfm?TopicName=CAD_data_organization
Mapping Specification for DWG: Export to CAD
Source Geodatabase
Export
Output DWG pre-9.3
Output DWG at 9.3
MSD Feature Class Tools
New feature class name and type
Specify CAD properties
Use property selectors
Define schema and default values
ArcGIS for AutoCAD
Free ArcGIS Server based product
Runs on AutoCAD 2007 and 2008 based products including
Autodesk Map 3D, Civil, Land Desktop
AutoCAD LT not supported
Direct access to GIS data within AutoCAD
ArcGIS for AutoCAD Product Overview
Free download available
(http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/arcgis-for-autocad/index.html)
Simple plug-in to AutoCAD
Allows ArcGIS Server map services to be accessed and
displayed inside AutoCAD
Key Features
Map service display management
Identify, copy and paste attributes to clipboard
Assign, clear or export coordinate system definition of the CAD
drawing
Lays the groundwork for additional functionality
ArcGIS for AutoCAD Process
Map services directly
accessible within
AutoCAD
GIS Server
Map Services
Internet
ArcGIS for
AutoCAD
Resources and Training
ArcGIS Desktop Help (Check Online for Updates!)
New Instructor-Led Training !
Working with CAD Data in ArcGIS Desktop
Live Training Seminars
Working with CAD Data in ArcGIS 9.2
Geoprocessing CAD Data with ArcGIS
Authoring and Publishing Optimized Map Services
Sample Drafting Toolbar (BETA)
Check it out and give us feedback!
Resources and Training