GIS and CAD

(computer aided design)

CAD and GIS

GIS and CAD have similar data content but have:
Different fundamental philosophies
CAD sees the world as a cube
GIS sees world as a sphere

Different primary applications

Detailed construction design (larger scale)
Real world representation and modeling (smaller scale)

Different data models

As we shall see

Different editing environments

Editing is CADs speciality
But ArcGIS editing is becoming more CAD-like

ESRI and CAD

ESRI no longer trying to compete as a CAD vendor

ArcCAD product has been discontinued

Goal is now the integration of CAD data and GIS data via
1. Common storage environment

data can be stored in SDE (using ArcSDE Client for CAD) for common
access by both CAD and GIS users

2. Use of CAD data in ArcGIS without the need to convert to GIS

Can be displayed
As CAD drawing layer: displays drawing file as it would be seen in CAD
As feature layers: which can be processed like GIS, but without conversion

3. Bi-directional conversions between CAD and GIS data

Use ArcToolbox to convert CAD to GIS & GIS to CAD

ArcToolbox>Conversion Tools>To Geodatabase>Import from CAD
ArcToolbox>Conversion Tools>To CAD>Export to CAD

not necessarily transitive: cannot always reproduce the original CAD data
after converting to GIS cos of inherent differences in CAD/GIS data
models

How CAD Differs

Lacks database environment
Lacks spatial analysis
Lacks topological information
connectivity, congruency and contiguity (adjacency)

Lacks layering within point, line and polygon classes

All line features (e.g. roads and streams) are in same layer

Features are not segmented

E.g. Belt Line Rd all around Dallas is one feature

Cartographic information is often present in layers,

undifferentiated from true geographic features
blowups, symbology, legends, etc..

Limited support for real world positioning (map

projections, etc.)

CAD files in ArcCatalog: 9.2 v. 9.1

In ArcGIS 9.2, a CAD file is displayed in ArcCatalog as a group
layer with a triple box blue icon
Within this group there are:
multiple feature layers containing annotation, point, polygon, polyline
(arc) line data, all with blue single box icons
These can be used for display, query, and analysis as though they were regular,
separate GIS layers

A single drawing file,which display all layers simultaneously, as they would

appear to a CAD operator,
More akin to an image although its a vector file
Potentially useful as a background

You can bring the layers (one, some or all), or the drawing file, or
both into ArcMap, as desired.
ArcGIS 9.1 and earlier differs. The drawing file is shown as a second
layer so you get two layers for every CAD file.
9.1 and
earlier

9.2

Using CAD files in GIS

A single CAD file can have up to 999 layers of vector data within its
point, arc and polygon datasets. These can be separated into
homogeneous GIS-type layers by:
Accepting the CAD unique entity value symbology, which is the default in
ArcGIS 9.2
Controlling display of drawing layer or feature layers via Properties/Drawing
Layers (this is unique to CAD)
Separate feature layers (point, polyline, or polygon) into homogeneous GIS layers
using the CAD layer variable, or other variables if appropriate
Via Properties/Symbology
Via Properties/Definition Query

You can save the results as separate layers in TofC of ArcMap, and as layer files to
use in other ArcMap documents

Layers can be displayed, queried and used in many geoprocessing

operations in ArcToolbox as though they were regular GIS layers
However, there are exceptions e.g. cant clip them or use as the clip layer

In all cases here you are processing the original CAD data, thus any edits
made in CAD will be immediately available to the GIS user. This is the
big advantage.

Converting CAD files

Converting CAD to GIS:

three ways

1. Use the standard Data/Export facility in ArcMAP or ArcCatalog

Identify individual layers as per previous slide, then export as separate shapefiles or gdb
feature classes

This is by far the easiest conversion method

Generally, one CAD file produces multiple GIS feature classes

2. Use the Import from CAD tool in ArcToolbox

Go to ArcToolbox>Conversion Tools>To Geodatabase>Import from CAD
Use this if you need access to fancy aspects of the CAD data

See When to Use the Import from CAD tool in ArcHelp

3. Use ArcInfo Workstation commands DXFARC and IGDSARC

Converting GIS to CAD:

Go to ArcToolbox>Conversion Tools>To CAD>Export to CAD

Relatively complex issue
Other tools in the To CAD toolset are used to set up data appropriately prior to
running Export to CAD tool
See ArcHelp for more detail

Working together
Engineers/designers make limited use of GIS when designing and building
However, the data they create can be very useful for GIS

CAD provides multiple ways of creating data

Adoption of a set of CAD standards can greatly improve the usability of CAD data in GIS
Getting the CAD people to do this requires diplomacy!

The ESRI document Creating Compatible CAD Data for ArcGIS, October 2003, provides guidance.
Examples include
Use only one geometry type (e.g. line or polygon) for a given feature
CAD people often intermix polygon and line features when drawing

Use CAD blocks or cells to create point features rather than drawing them with lines
Differentiate features (e.g. roads and railroads) in a consistent manner

use CAD layer variable, or a standard color, line style or width symbol

Snap features together using CAD snapping tools, especially for networks
Avoid splitting lines to insert text or point symbols
many, many more!!!

If possible, use the CAD layer in GIS, rather than converting to GIS. Then, any new CAD edits can be
captured immediately
If not, be sure to implement a process for update of GIS layers when CAD changes
For this, use a Modelbuilder Application so it can be repeated consistently!!!

Commonly encountered CAD file extensions

.dxf -

Autocad DXF (digital exchange format) arcdxf

also a pseudo standard for the exchange of CAD data
(equivalent to a shapefile)
.dwg - AutoCAD drawing file format
.dgn - Intergraphs Interactive Graphics Design Software (IGDS)
and MicroStation Design format

Some Useful Reference Documents

ESRI White Papers
Using CAD in ArcGIS, June 2003
UsingCADinArcGISJ9059.pdf
This is a helpful overview

Creating Compatible CAD Data for ArcGIS, October

2003
Creating_Compatible_CAD_Data_for_ArcGIS.pdf
More detailed discussion of how to structure CAD data to
maximize/simplify its use in GIS

CAD and the Geodatabase, July 2001

J8687_CAD-GIS_Geodatabase.pdf

Available from www.esri.com and also from

http://wilbur.utdallas.edu/gisdata/g6382/Info_materials/