How to set the geo-location of an AutoCAD DXF

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DWG files can be indirectly imported into a Project, by first converting them to a DXF file (the open-standard equivalent). DXF files can then be imported directly through the Geo Data Wizard, as either features in the Current Situation, or in the Future Design. However, it is important that the entities and objects in the DXF file are at the correct Geo-location. AutoCAD itself does not geo-transforms coordinates. Instead, you select a project location, and tell autocad what the coordinates are in WGS84 Lat/Long and what the corresponding coordinates are in coordinate system that you want to use. Additionally you have to provide what the northing axis of the coordinate system is.

The following how-to describes how to set the Geo-location of a DXF in the Dutch coordinate system EPSG:29882. This how to is based on the steps described on an autodesk forum[1].

Editor → Current Situation (Ribbon tab) → Geo import (Ribbon bar)
How to set the Geo-location of a DXF:
  1. If the filetype is currently DWG, see this how-to on how to convert it to a DXF.
  2. Open the DXF file in AutoCAD
  3. First make sure the project units of measurement is set to meters, when the CRS of our project is also in meters. See other how-to. For EPSG:28992, a project needs to be in meters.
  4. Next, in the top bar of AutoCAD, go to Insert and then click on Set Location on the far right. A new screen pops up.
  5. In this popup, fill in a coordinate of your project location in the WGS84 format, that is: latitude, longitude, as seen in the image below and press enter and click next.
  6. In the following screen, select the coordinate system relevant to your project location. For projects in the Netherlands, select 28992. Also make sure the Drawing unit is set to meters. If you have performed the how-to on how to setup your projects drawing unit, then this dropdown should show meters.
  7. Click next.
  8. This step is Important: Notice the command input below indicates: GEOGRAPHICLOCATION: Select a point for the location. You now have to select this bar, and fill in the converted coordinate in the CRS that you selected to align the geo-location with the location in your CRS. If you do not know how to convert coordinates, see the how-to on converting single coordinates. See also the image below with the converted coordinate correctly filled in.
  9. The project should now have configured the geo location correctly and satellite imagery should be visualized.

Notes

  • In AutoCAD, the satellite imagery does not always correctly align with the provided coordinates. You can double check the correctness of imagery and locations in other software, such as QGIS.

How-to's

References

  1. Export image has incorrect coordinates, Message 9 of 10 ∙ ChicagoLooper in reply to: nano.langenheim ∙ Found at: https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-raster-design-forum/export-image-has-incorrect-coordinates/td-p/9365778 ∙ (last visited: 30-11-2022)