Bringing web GIS data into Civil 3D

Last updated: 2025-09-22

Background

  • Getting GIS data into CAD/design software has been a problem since the technologies were created.
  • ESRI’s creation of the shapefile as a non-proprietary format was a good solution for many years.
  • In the last decade or more, ESRI has been deprecating the shapefile in favor of their proprietary personal/file geodatabase. (a non-starter for people without an ArcGIS license)
  • While ESRI’s move to the web with data and apps has been great for casual users, it hasn’t addressed the needs of Civil 3D users

ESRI/Autodesk solutions

  • Autodesk has created a Civil 3D component called Autodesk Connector for ArcGIS to address this need.

    • Methods has been testing the Connector since it has come out (c3d20) and working with GISU. We’ve never felt it was ready for production release.

  • ESRI created a Civil 3D add-on called ArcGIS for AutoCAD (ArcGIS4ACAD) to address this need.

    • Methods generally tries to stay away from third-party add-ons, but have decided to roll out this add-on for the following reasons:

      • it gives a good discoverability and end user experience (it works)
      • for public, read-only usage, no license is required and it's free
      • Support from ESRI appears to solid for it (longevity, API, documentation)

ArcGIS Server web services that can be accessed by ArcGIS4ACAD

  • Feature Layer (vector ACAD objects w/attributes)
  • Map Layer (raster background)
  • Image Layer (raster background)

Using ArcGIS4ACAD

WARNING: Many spatial datasets do not have accuracy of mapping or survey products. You need to be aware of a datasets spatial accuracy and what it should/should not be used for.

Can login with AGO account, but not needed for read-only on public datasets

Setup

  1. Set Coordinate System

    1. Add-on uses it's own (ESRI) coordinate system

  2. If in a DWG that doesn't already have data

    1. Locate (zoom/pan to geographic location)

  3. Can add a standard ESRI map background for reference

  4. Set Project Area

    1. Rectangle that geofences search and record retrieval
    2. CRITICAL TO DO FOR PERFORMANCE

Adding GIS data

  1. Add data

    1. AGO search interface in product

      1. can search by Feature/Map/Raster
      2. can restrict search to Project Area

  2. Add data by URL (examples)

    1. Feature layer - or https://hazards.fema.gov/arcgis/rest/services/FIRMette/NFHLREST_FIRMette/MapServer/19

      1. feature layer results in vector, ACAD objects

        1. point - cogo points
        2. line - open 2D polyline
        3. poly - closed 2D polyline

    2. Image layer - https://di-wisdot.img.arcgis.com/arcgis/rest/services/Statewide/WisconsinDRG24K/ImageServer

      1. image layer results in raster background

    3. Map layer - https://dnrmaps.wi.gov/arcgis2/rest/services/TS_AGOL_STAGING_SERVICES/EN_AGOL_STAGING_SurfaceWater_WTM/MapServer

      1. map layer results in raster
      2. cached mapservers don't appear to work
      3. layers can be selected and added as feature layers to get vector data

Working with GIS data

  1. ESRI CONTENTS

    1. On/Off, Zoom, Identify, Attributes, Sync

  2. AutoCAD Layers

    1. All feature layers set to ACAD Layer named "ESRI_Layer Name"
    2. All normal layer controls available

Limitations

  • GIS data must be published on ESRI-based web server and available

  • Image layer

    • View/extract limited to screen resolution (i.e. not good enough for plotting)

  • Poly feature layer

    • Closed 2D polyline (i.e. get outline, but no fill, need to add hatch to fill them in)

  • Haven't found a text/label feature layer to test yet (county, CVT, major water, highway shields/local road names)

Planned roll-out/usage

  • ArcGIS4ACAD is available to internal c3d24 and up users in Software Center
  • Have WisDOT GISU pre-package basemap content

Basemaps

  • c3d users have had to rely on county maps for primary source of basemaps

    • No data inside C,V boundaries
    • Maintenance headache to manage translation from MicroStation to AutoCAD

  • would like to provide

    • custom access to image layer for zero-effort mapping with extract to high res for printing (roll into WisDOT Imagery tab)
    • custom map service with all basemap layers

  • intent is to provide webpage of wisdot basemaps rather than ACAD template file

    • URL updates managed by GISU
    • ACAD/C3D template files are not a viable solution to GIS data distribution for Civil 3D users

Data display/inquiry

  • use search/do your thing
  • see where the users take it

Other thoughts

Search options

  • While the embedded search works well, if you're doing a deep search, I like the AGO search better

    • does not lock out Civil 3D usage (embedded dialog is modal)

    • results seem faster on web

    • the website really wants you to log in, but it's not required

    • important filters

      • Layers (feature layers, imagery layers are what you want)
      • Location

    • Can get a LOT more details on the dataset

    • Copy/paste URL to use

  • Downside - requires publisher to do whatever to get it into AGO search (i.e. not exactly the same as general web search) and maintain

Sometimes, better (more and more current) results with the following

  • find an AGO-based web map

    • open the layer list
    • Click the three dot for a layer of interest
    • Click Description
    • Copy/paste URL into ArcGIS tab > Contents Panel > Add Data > Add Data by URL

  • a generic web search that contains "mapserver" or "imageserver" (forces inclusion of those terms)

Use in Civil 3D projects

  • DO NOT hook GIS data into every possible DWG

    • ok to do temporary stuff, hook up, look at stuff, disconnect

  • Assuming we can get basemap working, that would replace title sheet reference material, so that would be a good permanent hookup

  • if there is vector data (feature layers) you want to have permanent and available across DWGs

    • create DWG (base/othr good location)
    • connect and set up display (layer control)
    • XREF like normal