topic Re: How to export layers from Qgis to AutoCAD (DWG) and maintain projection in AutoCAD Forum

How to export layers from Qgis to AutoCAD (DWG) and maintain projection

secnFV9SX — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 15:21:27 GMT

Hello! I need to export som layers with som basic map information from Qgis so that I can open the different layers in AutoCAD, and the layers need to maintain their projection when I import them into AutoCAD. Does anybody know how to do it? Thanks a lot.

Best, Sofie

Re: How to export layers from Qgis to AutoCAD (DWG) and maintain projection

tboehler — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 16:04:11 GMT

I believe you need to have MAP 3D or Civil 3D (AutoCAD programs) to import the shp files from GIS/Qgis. Unless there is a dxf or dwg export option in qgis - then you could import the dxf/dwg into plain AutoCAD.

There are apps or add on software that would help you import into plain AutoCAD.

Make sure you have the geolocation set in AutoCAD. I believe this is now possible in plain AutoCAD. (I'm strickly a Civil 3D user).

Re: How to export layers from Qgis to AutoCAD (DWG) and maintain projection

ChicagoLooper — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 06:21:15 GMT

What format are the files? Are you dealing with shapefile(s)? It sounds like you are. Plain vanilla AutoCAD is incapable of handling geospatial objects such as shapefile, geodatabase (gdb) files and georeferenced images—you need either Map3D or Civil3D.

Using M3D /C3D you can use a Feature Data Object (FDO) connection or the MAPIMPORT command. Either way, the projection will be maintained.

Sorry, but vanilla AutoCAD doesn’t read or understand your QGIS data.

Map3D’s Data Connect Palette.

Re: How to export layers from Qgis to AutoCAD (DWG) and maintain projection

secnFV9SX — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 10:26:20 GMT

Thank you for your responses and help.

I found out that in Qgis you can export each layer manually to a DXF-format that I can open in AutoCAD, so I think I solved the issue.

// Sofie

Re: How to export layers from Qgis to AutoCAD (DWG) and maintain projection

radulowYE6J2 — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 10:39:48 GMT

I am not sure what you mean by "maintain projection" because Qgis-dxf exports the drawing from model space. The projection is exported as it is shown on the screen.

Another tip which might help you: If you have conditional coloring of a layer like this

then you can change a property while exporting to maintain the color codes. In the export dialog scroll to right

And change the "Output Layer Attribute" to the Attribute which your colors are assigned to

Then you have the same layers in your DWG as in Qgis

Re: How to export layers from Qgis to AutoCAD (DWG) and maintain projection

ChicagoLooper — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 13:28:47 GMT

Just because you can ‘open’ it in AutoCAD doesn’t mean it has been reprojected—it just means you can ‘open’ it. An easy way, not the only way, to determine whether its been reprojected accurately is to turn on Bing Aerial map. if you are unable to turn it on, or if Bing map doesn’t match your line work, then you haven’t maintained the geospatial accuracy.

Re: How to export layers from Qgis to AutoCAD (DWG) and maintain projection

robert_godinKK64X — Tue, 15 Apr 2025 13:17:08 GMT

This is working good that way now ?