ArcGIS for AutoCAD is the Esri plug-in application to Autodesk AutoCAD that allows you to create and edit ArcGIS data using AutoCAD and to discover and use maps and data provided through ArcGIS web services. The application provides access to this functionality primarily through the included ArcGIS ribbon user interface, Add Data user interface, and the Esri Contents pane.
Explore the GIS Content tab to learn more about the different types of data and services in ArcGIS for AutoCAD. Explore the Manage tab to learn more about the different user interfaces and methods for performing various GIS tasks.
ArcGIS for AutoCAD adds these GIS capabilities to standard AutoCAD or AutoCAD Civil 3D:
| Capability | AutoCAD user | ArcGIS user |
|---|---|---|
Drawings with an Esri coordinate system definition will allow all ArcGIS maps, imagery, and data to be correctly positioned when added to the drawing. | AutoCAD drawing data with Esri coordinate system definitions will be positioned correctly in ArcGIS workflows without the need to reposition. | |
The Add Data capability provides a graphic user interface to search for and discover GIS content found in ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise portals. | ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise portal users can share their GIS content with ArcGIS for AutoCAD users and access GIS content shared by ArcGIS for AutoCAD users as hosted feature layers. | |
AutoCAD users can access and edit ArcGIS data using simple AutoCAD entities. | ArcGIS web feature layers allow ArcGIS users to share and collaboratively edit GIS data with many different software clients including ArcGIS Field Maps, ArcGIS Desktop, and ArcGIS for AutoCAD users. | |
Create attributed ArcGIS features from simple AutoCAD entities stored within the DWG file. Build your own schema, or choose from your library of data templates. | ArcGIS Desktop users export ArcGIS feature data to AutoCAD DWG files for ArcGIS for AutoCAD users. ArcGIS Desktop users can read ArcGIS feature layers created by ArcGIS for AutoCAD users. | |
Share your CAD feature layers with ArcGIS Desktop and field users by initiating the creation of hosted web feature layers. | ArcGIS Desktop and ArcGIS Field Maps users can view and edit data created and shared by ArcGIS for AutoCAD users through hosted web feature layers. | |
Use GIS information from published ArcGIS maps as maps that you can query without loading vector data into the drawing. | Share published maps with many ArcGIS users including ArcGIS for AutoCAD users working in AutoCAD. | |
Navigate your drawing based on addresses, placenames, or search strings using an ArcGIS locator. | Publishing custom location services for ArcGIS for AutoCAD users allows them to navigate their drawings based on your GIS data. |