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Common Questions

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General

When are new versions of ArcGIS for AutoCAD released?

ArcGIS for AutoCAD versions are released independently of other ArcGIS products and made available for download at no cost when new functionality is added. Check back frequently for updates. The ArcGIS for AutoCAD version can be viewed by clicking the About button. Use this to compare your version to the current version found on esri.com.

What types of GIS data can be accessed through ArcGIS for AutoCAD?

All GIS data types supported by ArcGIS for Server in a map service are accessible through ArcGIS for AutoCAD without conversion, translation, or configuration. ArcGIS for Server manages all connections to the data and passes the display of features through the map service image. Requests to identify features are handled on the server, and the results are passed along to the ArcGIS for AutoCAD Identify dialog box.

Licensing | Platform Support

Do I need an ArcGIS for Server license to use ArcGIS for AutoCAD?

No. ArcGIS for AutoCAD is a no-cost client to ArcGIS for Server map services. However, you do need to have network or Web access to use ArcGIS for Server map services.

Can I access content from ArcGIS Online Services using ArcGIS for AutoCAD?

Yes. Esri customers can access map service content for free. Non-Esri customers would pay a subscription fee. Premium services for both Esri and non-Esri customers are available for a fee.

What versions of AutoCAD does ArcGIS for AutoCAD work with?

ArcGIS for AutoCAD supports AutoCAD 2010/2011/2012 (32-bit and 64-bit). Support for AutoCAD 2007/2008/2009 requires ArcGIS for AutoCAD Build 200 Service Pack 1.

Does ArcGIS for AutoCAD work in MicroStation?

No. Currently, there is no equivalent for ArcGIS for AutoCAD for MicroStation.

Does ArcGIS for AutoCAD connect to a Web Map Service (WMS) or Web Feature Service (WFS)?

ArcGIS for AutoCAD provides access to ArcGIS for Server map services that are published with WMS or WFS capabilities. However, ArcGIS for AutoCAD cannot connect directly to a WMS or WFS.

What versions of ArcGIS for Server does ArcGIS for AutoCAD work with?

ArcGIS for AutoCAD can access standard and cached map services hosted by ArcGIS for Server 9.3 or higher. ArcGIS for AutoCAD supports ArcGIS for Server for the Microsoft .NET framework and the Java platform.

Features

Does ArcGIS for AutoCAD support ArcGIS for Server geoprocessing services or other GIS services such as feature services?

No. ArcGIS for AutoCAD currently supports only the viewing of ArcGIS for Server map services and access to the tabular attributes of features represented in the map service.

How is the symbology of the ArcGIS for Server map service controlled?

ArcGIS for Desktop tools are used to author the map and its symbology, which are served by ArcGIS for Server. The ArcGIS for AutoCAD user sees the same map as the ArcGIS for Desktop user, ensuring consistency and clear communication of the meaning of the map for all users of the information. In the map service management panel, map layers can be turned on or off.

Can you snap to the map features within AutoCAD?

No. Currently, you cannot snap to the map features represented in the map service from within AutoCAD using ArcGIS for AutoCAD.

Can I access the ArcGIS for Server map feature geometry and coordinates within AutoCAD using ArcGIS for AutoCAD?

No. Currently, the geometry of the features represented in the map service is visually represented as part of the map service only. ArcGIS for Server feature services will be supported in a future release of ArcGIS for AutoCAD.

Can I customize ArcGIS for AutoCAD to create my own GIS-ready design and mapping applications?

Yes. ArcGIS for AutoCAD comes with a collection of AutoLISP callable functions that let you define and manipulate GIS schemas, attributes, and map services.

What is the mapping specification for CAD drawings?

The mapping specification for CAD drawings is a data encoding method that lets users create, manipulate, and define how CAD data is organized and attributed as GIS content. This is implemented in both ArcGIS for AutoCAD and ArcGIS 9.3 and higher. The mapping specification for CAD includes a filtering criteria based on existing CAD standards to define how drawings should be interpreted as GIS feature classes. This method also includes the means to add a schema of attributes to any AutoCAD entity. The mapping specification for CAD is recommended by Esri as a best practice to share data between AutoCAD and ArcGIS using an AutoCAD file.

How do I view or edit mapping specification for CAD drawing attributes stored on AutoCAD entities?

Using ArcGIS for AutoCAD, you can right-click any AutoCAD entity encoded with the mapping specification for drawings attributes and use the standard AutoCAD properties dialog box to view and modify them. You can also customize the AutoCAD interface to support these attributes on the quick properties interface of AutoCAD.

Is it better to use Esri shapefiles, or should I use the mapping specification for drawings-defined feature classes in ArcGIS for AutoCAD for interoperability between ArcGIS and AutoCAD?

The fidelity and flexibility of GIS data exchanged inside an AutoCAD file using the mapping specification for CAD tools in ArcGIS for AutoCAD and ArcGIS 9.3 and higher is the preferred method to transfer data between AutoCAD and ArcGIS.

Does ArcGIS for AutoCAD allow me to edit ArcGIS geodatabases via ArcGIS for Server?

No. ArcGIS for AutoCAD lets you create and modify AutoCAD drawings that may contain data that was exported from a geodatabase; however, the mapping specification for CAD drawing data would only be a copy of the geodatabase information. It is not intended to be a geodatabase editing solution without added workflow processes.