Feature Description

This feature enables importing mainstream CAD formats including AutoCAD's DWG/DXF and MicroStation's DGN into CAD datasets or simple datasets, achieving seamless integration between engineering design and GIS data.

AutoCAD Drawing Exchange Format (*.dxf), developed by Autodesk, serves as an ASCII/binary file format for graphic data exchange between AutoCAD and other applications. AutoCAD Drawing (*.dwg) is AutoCAD's native vector graphics file format. MicroStation DGN (*.dgn) is the vector graphics file format used by MicroStation and related applications.

AutoCAD version support:

• SuperMap iDesktop/iDesktopX 10.1.2 and earlier versions support data from AutoCAD versions prior to 2015.
• SuperMap iDesktop/iDesktopX 10.2 and later versions support data from AutoCAD 2021 and earlier versions.

Feature Entry

• Start tab -> Data Processing group -> Data Import -> Vector group -> AutoCAD.
• Workspace Manager -> Datasource context menu -> Import Dataset...
• Toolbox -> Data Import -> AutoCAD tools: Import DXF, Import DWG, Import DGN.

Steps

1. In the Start tab, under the Data Processing group, click the Data Import button.
2. In the Data Import dialog, click Add File to open the file selection dialog. Navigate to and select the CAD file to import.
3. For parameter descriptions of target datasource, result dataset, encoding type, import mode, and source file information in Result Data, refer to the Data Import Common Parameters page.
4. Result Data
   • Dataset Type: Select output dataset type:
     • CAD: Imports data as CAD dataset.
     • Simple Dataset: Imports as simple datasets (point/line/region/text/attribute/compound line/compound region).
   • Create Spatial Index: Creates spatial index for improved query performance.
   • Import Null Dataset: When enabled, imports empty datasets without features; otherwise shows import failure alert.
5. Transformation Parameters
   Note:

   • Parameters availability depends on data format when accessed via ribbon tabs (e.g., scale factor is disabled for DXF imports).
   • Parameters visibility varies when accessed through different toolbox tools.
   • Curve fitting precision: Controls border smoothness (default:73). Applies only to DXF/DWG imports.
   • Font Library Settings: Add associated SHX font files to prevent missing CAD text styles.
   • Unite Layers: Merges all CAD layers into single dataset (default enabled for DWG/DXF).
   • Import Symbol Block: Imports block references as point objects (default enabled).
   • Import Extended Field: Imports AutoCAD attribute-like data as additional fields (applies to DXF/DWG).
   • Import Invisible Layers: Includes hidden AutoCAD layers in import.
   • Import Block Attribute: Includes block attributes during import.
   • Import Extended Records: Imports user-defined and property fields as extension fields.
   • Keep Object Height: Preserves Z-coordinate values for 3D objects (stored in Elevation field).
   • Keep Parametric Object: Retains parametric objects in compound regions/lines.
   • Keep Line Width: Maintains Polyline width definitions from CAD files.
   • Set Scale Factor: Adjusts X/Y/Z scaling for DGN imports.
   • Unit object is imported as the point object: Converts DGN unit objects to point markers.
   • Unite Layers: Merges DGN layers by geometry type when enabled.
6. Styles: Supports style mapping via *.stt files.

   Style Mapping File: STT file structure example:

   SuperMap Style Mapping Table Version 6.0 LineStyleBegin (id:Continuous),(id:963867;c:0xff0000;w:1) LineStyleEnd SymbolBegin (id:GROUND),(id:1110;g:Root Group;c:0x0000ff;a:0; s:1) SymbolEnd FillStyleBegin (id:ANGLE),(id:015;a:60;fc:0xff0000;bc:0x000000) FillStyleEnd FontBegin (id:arial),(id:System;a:0;fc:0x00ff00;bc:0x000000;xs:1;ys:1) FontEnd dxffile Expstyle.dxf

   File components: Header, version, line style mapping, symbol mapping, fill mapping, font mapping, and dxffile reference.

   • Line Style Mapping:

     Field 1	Field 2
     External line style name	SuperMap line style; color; width(mm)

   • Symbol Mapping:

     Field 1	Field 2
     Block reference/cell name	SuperMap symbol; group; color; rotation; scale

   • Fill Mapping:

     Field 1	Field 2
     External fill pattern	SuperMap fill; angle; foreground; background

   • Font Mapping:

     Field 1	Field 2
     External font	SuperMap font; angle; color; background; X/Y scale

   • dxffile: Used for export (ignored during import).
7. Click Import to execute.

Related Topics

Import Data

Import Shape Data

Import Excel Data

Supported Import/Export Formats