How to set the geo-location of an AutoCAD DXF

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.

Editor → Current Situation (Ribbon tab) → Geo import (Ribbon bar)

How to set the Geo-location of a DXF or DWG:

1. If the filetype is currently DWG, use an AutoDesk application to open it and save/export it as DXF.
2. Open the DXF file in AutoCAD
3. When importing for the Current Situation, opt to import Buildings.
   When importing for the Future Design, opt to import Measures.
4. Select the DXF file, either as a local file on your computer or on the Geo Share.
5. Select the layers in the DXF file to import.
6. Follow the remaining steps in the Geo Data Wizard to select and import the features as desired.
7. Finish the Geo Data Wizard to finalize the data import process.

• How to save as dxf.png

Notes

• Layers do not need to be visible to include them in the import.
• When importing a DXF file, each feature will have an Attribute indicating its layer, and an Attribute COLOR_INDEX indicating its color (index). It also has an additional Attribute COLOR, in which the feature's color in the original file is translated to a Tygron Color code.

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