Export geodatabase feature classes to CAD including annotation using the Export to CAD Tool

Summary

Instructions provided describe one method for converting geodatabase feature classes to CAD file formats (DWG or DXF) that include layer names and text entities.

Procedure

The process outlined below is performed in ArcMap.

1. Add the geodatabase feature classes to be converted to a new, empty ArcMap session. Label each feature class, as needed, with the attribute(s) to be converted to text entities in the output CAD file.
2. Convert the labels for each feature class to annotation in the geodatabase.

Warning:
Annotation stored in the map cannot be converted to CAD.

3. The default AutoCAD screen color is black, and the default output text color is also black. Text converted with the default color does not show up in AutoCAD. To control the output text color for annotation in the AutoCAD file, add the field named 'COLOR', defined as 'Short Integer', to each annotation feature class and calculate a CAD color number into the field. Some standard AutoCAD color numbers are:

   0	White/Black - depends on the AutoCAD canvas color when the file is opened
   1	Red
   2	Yellow
   3	Green
   4	Cyan
   5	Blue
   6	Magenta
   7	White/Black - the display color for text in AutoCAD, controlled by the canvas color

4. In Export to CAD, the default layer name is the name of the feature class. To create data on different layers in the output CAD file, use the following method:
   • Add a field named LAYER to the feature class attribute table, with the data type defined as Text, a length of 25, and populate the layer field with the layer names to be assigned to the features during export.

Note:
CAD layers can contain different kinds of features, so the same layer name can be used for features of all feature types being converted. If the layer field is left blank for some features, those features are saved on Layer 0.

Note:
At version 9.3.1 and previous versions, if a field exists in the attribute table that already contains suitable layer names, use the 'Set CAD Alias' Tool and set the Alias for that field to 'Layer'.

Note:
If the data was originally imported from an AutoCAD DWG or DXF file, the field named 'Layer' already exists in the attribute tables. Those Layer names are reassigned to the exported data.

5. After performing the above steps as needed, open the Export to CAD tool, selecting the point, polyline, polygon and annotation feature classes as needed for input in the tool.
6. Select the output location and enter an appropriate name for the output CAD file. Click OK. The data is converted to the selected output CAD format.

Warning:
The .dwg or .dxf file extensions must be included in the output file name.

7. Refer to article links in the Related Information section below for more detailed instructions and tips on this conversion process.