AutoCAD Integration

Data can be available in a variety of formats. Tabular, numeric, spatial, aspatial, pictorial to name a few. It is important to know how to work with data in a variety of formats to yield useful information. One of the most common formats of data we come across in the GIS field would be data in AutoCAD (Automated Computer Aided Design) format.

In this exercise, AutoCAD data would be compared to ESRI feature layers. CAD files would also be georefrenced to create proper alignment of CAD data so it can be used with other spatial data in ArcMap. A new geodatabase would also be created to store CAD datasets.

Problem;

Review basic data structure of CAD created data and compare with ArcMap data features. Georefrencing CAD data set in ArcMap and creating a new geodatabase by translating data in CAD format.

                                                           Workflow showing the process of georefrencing CAD file(click to enlarge)

Georefrenced CAD image(click to enlarge)

Workflow showing creation of a new geodatabase(click to enlarge)

Polyline building features before converted to polygon features(click to enlarge)

Polyline buildings already converted to polygon features(click to enlarge)

Application and Reflection;

Learning how to work CAD data files and integrate them in ArcMap is very important because it helped me understand the importance of working in different data formats. Also, because both CAD and GIS software technologies are complimentary, learning to work both files can help prevent potential data loss.

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