Software and Data Simple CAD Interoperability New build of ArcGIS for AutoCAD A new version of ArcGIS for AutoCAD greatly improves the ease with which users can share and use GIS content with AutoCAD files while preserving existing CAD workflows. This free downloadable tool from Esri offers simple interoperability that gives AutoCAD users access to enterprise GIS data and imagery published by ArcGIS Server within the AutoCAD environment. Data can also be prepared with AutoCAD for use in ArcGIS. ArcGIS for AutoCAD Build 200 supports ArcGIS Server 9.3 cached map services, ArcGIS Server map services on secure servers, and free and premium map service content available from ArcGIS Online Services. Users of this tool can view and query enterprise GIS information from public and private sites that use ArcGIS Server to publish map services over the Web. This provides CAD designers and engineers with information about the environment and infrastructure that supports design decisions. Accessed in AutoCAD without translating or converting the underlying GIS data, map services content is automatically projected in AutoCAD based on the coordinate system of the CAD drawing. In addition, Esri has developed a new data-encoding method called mapping specification for drawing (MSD), which has been implemented in the newest build of ArcGIS for AutoCAD and ArcGIS 9.3. This method allows users to create, manipulate, and define how CAD data is organized and attributed as GIS content while remaining true to existing CAD standards. Tools in ArcGIS for AutoCAD allow users to create and edit GIS feature classes within standard AutoCAD files and add attributes to any AutoCAD entity. Additional tools let users build CAD-based, GIS-ready applications. AutoCAD files enhanced with MSD can be used directly as GIS content in ArcGIS Desktop, ArcGIS for AutoCAD, or custom AutoCAD applications that have implemented the data-encoding method. ArcGIS for AutoCAD is compatible with AutoCAD 2007, 2008, and 2009 and map services for ArcGIS Server 9.2 and above. To learn more about this free tool and download it, visit www.esri.com/ autocadapp. Esri courses on this topic include Working with CAD Data in ArcGIS Desktop, an Instructor-Led Online Classroom course, and Geoprocessing CAD Data with ArcGIS, a free Web training seminar. 6 ArcUser Spring 2009 Above: ArcGIS for AutoCAD viewing ArcGIS Online Street Map and sewer basemap content along with mapping specification for drawing (MSD) data exported from ArcMap but viewed inside AutoCAD. Left: An example of an ArcMap CAD direct read of MSD data. Access Spatial Features in Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Support extended across ArcGIS 9.3 platform ArcGIS users can now perform Structured Query Language (SQL) queries and operations on spatial data within Microsoft SQL Server 2008. As the result of a multiyear working relationship between Esri and Microsoft, spatial extensions to SQL Server 2008 let users integrate spatial data with other enterprise applications and seamlessly consume, use, and extend locationbased analysis for enterprise-scale computing and Web collaboration. With the introduction of Geography and Geometry, two new spatial types for Microsoft SQL Server 2008 that are supported by ArcGIS, GIS users will have SQL access to spatial features in SQL Server. ArcGIS Server 9.3 Enterprise enables Esri's support for SQL Server 2008 to extend across the ArcGIS 9.3 platform including server, desktop, mobile, and online technology. For optimal performance with SQL Server 2008, Esri recommends installing Service Pack 1 for ArcGIS 9.3. Learn more about Esri's support for Microsoft SQL Server 2008 and view a demo that showcases Esri's integration with SQL Server 2008 at www.esri.com/sqlserver2008. For more information, Esri offers ArcGIS Server Enterprise Configuration and Tuning for SQL Server, an instructor-led course. www.esri.com