Using the CAD To Geodatabase tool

Use the CAD To Geodatabase tool to bulk load entire CAD datasets to an existing geodatabase. This tool automates a series of conversion procedures that includes importing CAD annotation and merging identical feature class names, types, and attribution. The tool accepts multiple CAD files as input in mixed DWG and DGN formats.

The output annotation feature class is created with an annotation subclass for each text layer in the CAD file and requires only that you specify a reference scale. If the tool is opened from a Catalog window in ArcMap, the results are also added as a group layer.

All input datasets are assigned the same coordinate system. The spatial reference is taken from the first CAD file with valid projection information or from a universal projection (esri_cad.prj) file.

Geographic transformations are applied to each CAD dataset individually. If a universal world (esri_cad.wld) file exists in the directory, the transformation will be applied to each CAD dataset in the list that does not have a companion world file.

Steps:

1. Open the CAD To Geodatabase tool.
2. Drag one or more CAD datasets from a Catalog window into the Input Features text box.
3. Click the Output Geodatabase browse button and navigate to an existing geodatabase.
4. Type a name for the new dataset in the Dataset text box.
5. Accept the default value in the Reference scale text box.
   • Alternatively, type an alternate reference scale.
6. Accept the default projection file in the Spatial Reference text box.
   • Alternatively, click the Properties button to open the Spatial Reference Properties dialog box and define a coordinate system.
7. Click OK to run the tool.