ArcGIS for AutoCAD includes new functionality as described in what's new in ArcGIS for AutoCAD. As with all updates to ArcGIS for AutoCAD you should follow these general guidelines.
Considerations for migrating from version 420 to 430
In adding support for branch versioning in the 430 release of ArcGIS for AutoCAD, it now checks if a web feature layer supports branch versioning. If a drawing created before the 430 release of ArcGIS for AutoCAD contains web feature layers that support branch versioning, they will need to be synchronized or removed and added again before branch versioning is recognized. The esri_webfeaturelayer_get AutoLISP function will report support for branch versioning on these older layers as false. These layers will need to be synchronized or re-added in order for ArcGIS for AutoCAD to recheck the capabilities and update the state of branch versioning in the web feature layer properties.
Considerations for migrating from version 400 to 410
Synchronize or discard edits before upgrading from one version of ArcGIS for AutoCAD to a newer version to avoid drawings where data was added for editing in one version but then synchronized with a newer version. For example, in this release, there was a change to the way rotation angles are updated during synchronization for feature layers when a geographic rotation angle has been selected.
Drawing compatibility from 370 to 400 or 410
When migrating an existing drawing from 370 and opening it in AutoCAD, all layers will be upgraded to the 400 layer type noted below. Review the compatibility notes for errors you may encounter when upgrading existing files to 400.
| Type in 370 | Type in 400 | Compatibility notes |
|---|---|---|
Map service | Map layer | Supported—Must be re-added to drawing from 400 |
Image service | Imagery layer | Supported—Must be re-added to drawing from 400 |
Feature service | Web feature layer | Supported—Must be re-added to drawing from 400 |
Local feature class | Document feature layer | Supported—No action needed |
Coordinate system | Coordinate system | Supported—No action needed |
Browse and add GIS content
ArcGIS for AutoCAD 400 includes functionality to add layers from ArcGIS Online or an ArcGIS Enterprise portal. One of the changes from versions 370 and earlier to this release is the way services are discovered and added to a CAD drawing. Layers from ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise portals can be discovered in the new Add Data window. The Add Data window also allows you to view your collections—such as from My Content, My Organization, and so on— set up in your ArcGIS Online or ArcGIS Enterprise portal in your CAD drawing. If you're migrating from 370 or earlier, you will be used to working with ArcGIS Server layers. Version 400 supports connecting to and working with layers from ArcGIS Server, but they can no longer be discovered from ArcGIS for AutoCAD. You must browse the layers on your server from your web browser and enter the URL that points to the service you want to add to your drawing from the Add Data by URL function. The following table describes how layers can be added to a drawing:
| Layer source | Add Data browser | Add Data by URL function |
|---|---|---|
ArcGIS Online | Supported | Supported |
ArcGIS Enterprise Portal | Supported | Supported |
ArcGIS Server | Not supported | Supported |
Map and imagery layers
Map and imagery layers in version 400 and later are no longer rendered as AutoCAD raster images as they were in versions 370 and earlier. Map and imagery layers are now rendered using AutoCAD transient graphics. This allows ArcGIS for AutoCAD to render maps more quickly with no interference while they draw. The following table lists the changes:
| Function | Version 370 | Version 400 (and later) |
|---|---|---|
Add from ArcGIS Online | Not supported | Supported |
Add from an ArcGIS Enterprise portal | Not supported | Supported |
Add from ArcGIS Server | Supported | Supported |
Switch dynamic behavior | Supported | Supported |
Manual refresh | Supported | Supported |
Map layer identify | Supported | Supported |
Transparency | Supported | Supported |
Zoom to layer extent | Supported | Supported |
Refresh map while drawing | Not supported | Supported |
Change draw order | Supported | Not supported |
Web feature layers
Web feature layer core functionality has not been altered. In addition to the core functionality, ArcGIS for AutoCAD 400 and later versions provide functionality to add layers from ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS Enterprise portals. The following table lists the changes:
| Function | Version 370 | Version 400 (and later) |
|---|---|---|
Add from ArcGIS Online | Not supported | Supported |
Add from an ArcGIS Enterprise portal | Not supported | Supported |
Add from ArcGIS Server | Supported | Supported |
View and edit geometry | Supported | Supported |
View and edit attributes | Supported | Supported |
Domains | Supported | Supported |
Subtypes | Supported | Supported |
Extract | Supported | Supported |
Set as read-only | Supported | Supported |
Synchronize additions, deletions, and updates | Supported | Supported |
Document feature layers
No substantial functionality changes were made to document feature layers. However, functionality was added to creating document feature layers, such as the option to create feature layers from entities that will create a feature layer based on the properties of selected objects.
Locating
Substantial improvements were made to the locating functionality in ArcGIS for AutoCAD 400. The window to locate in the drawing was moved to an AutoCAD dockable pane that can stay open while you draw. This improvement will allow you to quickly search for locations on the earth while you draw. In addition, ArcGIS for AutoCAD now supports adding custom locators.