AutoCAD Integration

Problem Scenario:

As a GIS analyst for NC State University supporting campus planning and facilities management, I am asked to develop a geodatabase to be used for future management of campus buildings and related "facilities".  The geodatabase should include only the following feature classes:

• streets (campus streets only: "Streets")

• sidewalks (campus only: "Walks - Sidewalks")

• streams / creeks (HINT Rocky Branch is the name of the main creek through campus: "Water - Rocky Branch")

• lakes / ponds ("Water - Lake")

• buildings (include campus only - existing AND future buildings: "Bldg - Existing" and "Bldg - Future")

• athletic fields ("Athetic Fields")

Analysis Procedures:

CAD data and Orthophoto raster image of North Carolina State University campus has been provided to solve the problem. After uploading the polyline and polygon layer of CAD data set I uploaded the Orthophoto sid layer in Arc GIS version 10. There was no Coordinate system was defined. By going to Layer properties, I defined the projected Coordinate system, State plane North Carolina NAD 83, US feet. Then 3 layers has been visible, but CAD datasets and Orthophoto did not aligned properly. That’s why, Geo referencing was needed to align both images precisely. By going Customize-Toolbar-Geo referencing and by using shift and scale on Geo referencing toolbar, I tried to align closely. Control point is the key point I had to utilize to point first on CAD line which is processed by surveyor, meaning ground plotting. I need to locate another pair of control points at opposite side of the area and used same method. After finishing the process, Update Display allowed me to observe the latest alignment of both CAD and Ortho images. I measured the difference of both images. It has not much distortion between two images. Therefore, Ortho photo SID raster image and CAD polyline and polygons datasets were aligned more precisely.

Through select by attributes for selected layers by SQL Quarry, I selected the specific layers first, and export data as shape files. Then I used Merge tool for merging two polygon layers and two polyline layers separately. Then by using feature to polygon tool, one polyline layer has been converted to polygon layer. I created a new Geo Database in Arc Catalogue.  Then I imported all specified features to Geo Database through feature to feature conversion method

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Application & Reflection:

Recently Irma Hurricane damaged properties as well as powerlines in Florida Keys a lot. To reclaim and reestablish property and powerline, the aerial image of Florida Keys and current damaged area’s Auto CAD file can be perfectly aligned or superimposed and can be found out which part of area has to give the priority to reestablish and reconstruct establishment.

Data- Recent survey after Hurricane should have been performed for the damaged area. Recent Auto CAD data from Florida Government or county can be retrieved. LANSAT image from NASA can be obtained for that area.

I can geo reference the CAD file and convert polyline to polygon and after making shape file I can share to different authorities, so they would analyze how much damage had been occurred and how fast they would solve the problem.

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