How to export *.DWG to *.GeoTIFF

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

I want to export *.DWG file to *.geotiff file. Is it possible in Autocad? If yes, could you share me how to do?

Thanks

Nhung

[Valentin_CAD]

@Anonymous ,

Welcome to the AutoCAD forum.

Your question is more Civil 3D than AutoCAD.

See this comment from the Civil 3D forum:

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/civil-3d-forum/geotiff-export/td-p/6302304

• https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/civil-3d/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Civil-3D-freezes-when-exporting-a-surface-to-GeoTIFF.html

[pendean]

Not with plain AutoCAD.

Is this a one-off need or a dire business need? Are you on a current subscription with Autodesk and AutoCAD?

[Anonymous]

Hi pendean,

We have many *.DWG files and want to export to *.geotiff to open on webmap application. Im looking for a suitable software to include in my current data process. 

In the comment of Emilio, I saw that we can export surface/raster available in Autocad. But the data type I want to use to export is *dwg (to *geotiff). 

Could you help to advise. 

Thanks

Sarah 

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

there does not exist a ready to use function inside AutoCAD (and also not inside Civil 3D), what you can do (as long as you don't find a tool, we have one app that also includes this function, but not for free) is:

• run command _PLOT to create a raster file for a rectangle (you can write JPG and PNG from AutoCAD)
• write your own world-file (upper left coordinate x and y, each - pixelsize/2.0) and pixel-size itself from the resolution you create when defining the plot number-of-pixels in x direction / cad-width of plot rectangle.

...it's not really complicated, but of course, if you have to create thousands of images for a dwg then you need some type of automation.

HTH, - alfred -

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I am also facing the same situation as nhungnguyen45. 
In comment of Alfred.NESWADBA,  I'm not sure about the process either. Can you show me the intermediate and final product results?
If it meets the need, we may be ready to buy your app.

Could you help to advise. 

Thank you.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> Can you show me the intermediate and final product results?

Which resolution do you like to have (pixel per Meter)?

I guess you won't buy the whole application as the GeoTiff-export is only part of a big application (and only in German). However, if you send me a PM with your mailadress we can talk a bit more about details, also about extracting this part as separate application and the supported languages.

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

Let's talk by email. 

Thanks.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> Let's talk by email. 

Will do, I prepare a video so you can see the workflow.

Please give me a bit of time to create the video, my time currently is very limited. I guess I can send you the link in (my) evening time (CET)

- alfred -

[ChicagoLooper]

AutoCAD doesn't give you the option to export an image to Geotiff. You'll need a GIS-essy type of program to do that. For example, ESRI's ArcPro or Arc Map. You can also use Global Mapper by Blue Marble. Using one of these programs will allow you to export to geotiff format. A geotiff has a world file built into the image itself and this built-in file allows the image to geolocate in a drawing where a user has established a georeference. If the user doesn't know how to georeference or georeferences his drawing incorrectly, then no go. The image, regardless of who created it, won't be inserted correctly. A good image cannot be accurately inserted into a bad drawing.  

Just as 'effective' is a world file. A world file, when it accompnies an image such as a tiff, jpeg or png, will geolocate the accompanying image. The two files, the image file and the  world file, work in tandem and will scale, rotate and position the image against the equator and north pole.

<<The equator and north pole are 'represented' in your drawing by the coordinate system you, the user, has assigned to modelspace. Failure to assigned an appropriate coordinate system to your drawing will mess everything up.>> 

Example1: MyImage1.tff and MyImage1.tfw. Example2: MyImage2.jpg and MyImage2.jgw. A world file can be created using AutoCAD's Raster Design (not free, it's an add on and will cost you $). Keep in mind in order to create a world file, the drawing hosting the image must be geospatially oriented to begin with. If your drawing isn't georeferenced and a world file is created anyway, then the world file won't be an accurate reference file.

You may also go to the Featured apps tab in the ribbon to search for and purchase an add-on which has the capabilitity to export to geotiff. For example, Featured Apps Tab==>Connect to App Store==>Plex Earth 5D. Plex Earth will give you the ability to 'import' and 'export' world files.

Since line work (vectors entities) can also be georreferenced, there may be other, more appropriate, work flows to accomplish your task efficiently. You don't necessarily have to, must use, someonetoldmetodothis or IsawitonyoutubeandIdontknowbetter have to use a raster. If you can provide a detailed explanation of your existing data and what you want to accomplish a more thorough evaluation can be performed and recommended. 

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

please find this article and video to see how our application is working >>>click to blog.hollaus.at/GT_AC<<<.

Please let me know your feedback!

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

Hi,

How to export *.DWG to *.GeoTIFF using Global Mapper?

Can you describe it?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

@Alfred.NESWADBA It's great! 

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

thank you for your positive feedback!

Please let me know if you need more details (maybe via pm to exchange mail addresses and get in direct contact).

- alfred -

[Mao232]

Hello!

I am a PhD student needing to change 10 floor plans to Geotiffs - could I ask for your help? I see I cannot send you a PM.

All the best
Marta

[ChicagoLooper]

Hi @Mao232 

You should start a new post with a title that describes you requirements. Adding onto a two-and-a-half year old post buries your issue under someone else's post and can get lost in the forum and that means your post might not get the viewership you need.

Starting a new post will make YOUR POST new and that's always better than resuscitating an old one.

Simply put, you can't make a dwg file a geotiff because clicking a single button oversimplifies the workflow. Dwg's are vectors, e.g. points or lines or polygons and each vector is a selectable entity. Geotiffs are pixels and those pixels can't be selected--you can, however, select the 'edge' of a raster (or the raster's frame) but you can't select an individual pixel.

You'll need AutoCAD Raster Design (a separate install) to move from dwg to geotiff. In fact, you'll also need an intermediary In Between step. You can do it like this:

1. dwg-to-PDF. This means print a PDF version of your drawing, not a hardcopy. <<You'll need a PDF maker, not a PDF reader, Adobe Acrobat is one such brand, there are others.>>
2.  Using Adobe Acrobat, open the new PDF then go to File=>Export to=>Image=>Jpeg (or Tiff)
3. In AutoCAD establish a PROPER PROJECTION. <<You'll need an understanding of projections or geospatial concepts to do this correctly. Failing to understand geospatial projections is singlehandedly the most common error when trying to create a genuine geotiff that will insert at the correct geospatial location.>>
4. Insert the new jpeg into modelspace. If you have properly assigned your projection (coordinate system) to modelspace insert your image. You'll need to (a) move, (b) scale, and (c) rotate the image in modelspace so it will be in the correct geospatial location. This will allow the inserted image to ADOPT the proper coordinates when you export the image to Geotiff format. <<The coordinates given to your image will be dependent on the projection (coordinate system) you have assigned to the modelspace that's currently hosting the image.>> 
5. Next, Using AutoCAD Raster Design, Raster Tools tab =>Insert & Write panel=>Image EXPORT=>Select the image
6. Change 'Files Of Type' to GeoTIFF=>Give the export a new Name and save it in your project folder.

Notes:

• Contrary to popular belief, you do NOT need a world file for Geotiff images. The geotiff format doesn't need a world file because the native coordinate system of the image is built into the image's header so a separate file is not necessary to geo-reference the image during insertion.   
• It is mandatory to establish and assign an accurate coordinate system in Step 3. Geotiffs are geospatial rasters and will insert accurately into a GIS capable program. If an accurate CS isn't established or no CS was assigned at all, then the geotiff cannot be accurately inserted in any other program.  
• You don't necessarily need Adobe Acrobat, you can use another brand. Other brands may do the job too.
• You don't necessarily need Raster Design, you can use any geospatial program that can read AND export rasters. AutoCAD Raster Design is only one program that can do the job.