MXD to DWG - Import Shape Files to AutoCAD MAP You cannot bring an Arcmap drawing into AutoCAD. Arcmap is composed of a series of shape files. If you have AutoCAD Civil 3D 2007, you can import shape files into CAD but not the actual MXD. AutoCAD drawings. AutoCAD formats do not require seed files to generate output. If you choose to use one, you can use.dwg or.dwt file types interchangeably. MicroStation drawings. All MicroStation V8 drawings require a seed file. By default, the Export To CAD tool selects a sample 2D seed file.
For many years, CAD data and Geographic Information System (GIS) data have lived in different worlds. As private and public organizations across the globe are working hard to geospatially locate everything on the planet, these two worlds are quickly merging. Even better, all this data is becoming more accessible to the public, and it’s free in many cases.
So What Kind of Data Is out There for Us CAD and Civil 3D Users?
Engineers, planners, architects and surveyors can use this GIS data from the preliminary stages to final design. Some examples of available GIS data include:
- Parcels
- PLSS data
- Demographics
- Survey points
- Water boundaries
- Hydrology
- Floodplains
- Road centerlines
- Environmental data
- Topo linework
- Archaeological data
- Wet and dry utilities
- Municipal boundaries Aerial imagery
- LiDAR data
- DEMs
- Shapefiles that originally came from CAD data
How Do I Bring GIS Data Into Civil 3D
Autodesk provides many tools to utilize GIS data and many of them are built into Civil 3D. Here are a few of the most commonly used Civil 3D tools:
Drawing Settings – Units and Zone
Prior to bringing in GIS data, you will need to properly set up your drawing. In the Toolspace/Settings Tab, right click on the Drawing name at the top and click on “Edit Drawing Settings.”
In the Units and Zone Tab, set the coordinate system appropriately.
MAPIMPORT
This command can either be typed or found in the “Insert” ribbon tab. Map Import brings your GIS data into AutoCAD as AutoCAD objects, equipping you with the full editing capabilities of AutoCAD. Here are some of the various formats you can import:
MAPIINSERT
Use the Map Image Insert command (MAPIINSERT) to bring in a variety of georeferenced raster image files. There are many great resources on GIS data websites for raster images that are geospatially accurate. When they are inserted properly using this command, they will drop right into place within the drawing. Here are the many different file types that can be brought in using this command:
GEOMAP
Import Mxd File To Autocad
This is a command that will bring Bing Map aerial and road imagery directly into the drawing file. You’ll be able to clip out specific images, pan and zoom anywhere on the map, and use the power of the map server to automatically adjust the resolution, depending on your zoom scale. This is an invaluable tool to bring background imagery into your drawing file.
MAPWSPACE
This command will open the AutoCAD Map 3D Task Pane, which will allow you to create, manage, display, and publish GIS data using Map 3D.
It’s important to note that importing GIS data involves aligning coordinate systems, datums, grid-to-ground conversions, and different units of measurement. This involves making sure that the drawing is set up properly, the AutoCAD linework and Civil 3D object data is drawn in the correct location, and the incoming GIS data is properly projected.