Importing CAD data

Importing CAD data to a geodatabase enables you to edit the information, perform cleanup operations, create topologies, and incorporate it with your existing ArcGIS data.

Converting CAD data is divided into two categories: feature geometry and annotation. You can import CAD feature geometry and associated attributes using any geoprocessing tool that accepts a dataset or a feature class or layer as input. Separate tools are available for converting CAD text to geodatabase annotation.

In ArcMap, you can import CAD data directly from the table of contents using the CAD shortcut menu. The tools automatically add the results to your map during execution. You can also use definition queries to filter CAD drawing layers, attribute values, and other graphic properties prior to converting the CAD feature layer.

Steps:

1. Right-click a CAD feature layer in the table of contents.

   The shortcut menu will display choices based on the type of CAD feature layer you have selected.

2. Click one of the following:
   • Convert CAD Feature Layer opens the Copy Features tool.
   • Convert CAD Feature Dataset opens the CAD To Geodatabase tool.
   • Convert to Geodatabase Annotation opens the Import CAD Annotation tool.
3. By default, the input is populated with the current feature layer when you open the tool.
4. By default, the output is automatically populated with the default workspace when you open the tool.
5. Click the browse button to add additional CAD data. This is optional.
6. Click OK to run the tool.