Connecting a *.gdb file

[Muthya]

I am trying to connect to the attached *.gdb file in my hard disk. Having difficulties. Opens in other GIS application (QGIS).

Is there anything I can do to get this to Map 3D for further work?

[ChicagoLooper]

Upload a screenshot of the FOLDER that contains your gdb. 

Alternatively, you can also pull the feature class out fo the Gdb in ArcPro or ArcDesktop. You can connect to the shapefile using a Data Connection and make all the edits you want.  Then, back in ArcPro, you can add the edits back to the Gdb. 

[Muthya]

I have asked the same question several times. If I have to have ESRI ArcGIS installed in my PC to connect tp GDB files, why should I use Map 3D at all. I can as well use ArcGIS straight away !!!!!

[Muthya]

GDB files are more recent and SHP files are not compliant with the GDB format. There are many issues.

[Anonymous]

 

 

As other posters have said, having to perform gymnastics to get this stuff into arcGIS is totally possible.  However, our survey dept. is already going to be hard to get to upload their data.  If they have to learn how to do four or five steps with arcGIS or some other GIS software, it's just not gonna happen.  Map3D is obviously supposed to be able to do this and it isn't working for alot of people apparently.

 

[pghcivil3d]

We are experiencing the same issue when trying to connect to a .gdb file.  We hit connect and nothing happens at all.

[ChicagoLooper]

Do you have a licenced version of ArcGIS/Arc Pro installed on your computer?

Gdb is ESRI's proprietarty format so they call the shots, not Autodesk. I don't think Autodesk cares one way or the other, it's ESRI who wants that licensed--they only want their paying customers to be able to open their proprietary format. You can blame ESRI because blaming Autodesk doesn't seem fair.

You may, or may not, be able to use a work around: open the gdb in ArcGIS then pull out (export) the feature class to shapefile. Repeat for each feature class.

[pghcivil3d]

@ChicagoLooper that is our next step to install ArcGIS, then test from there.

[TerryDotson]

Perhaps you should instead concentrate on procedures and automation to use ShapeFiles for information exchange with ESRI.  It's well accepted in multiple applications because the binary format was documented in detail and released for anyone to use.

While our add-ons read/write almost all ShapeFile formats and many GDB formats, we always prefer to work with ShapeFiles because we are 100% in control of the input/output.  If there is ever a problem we can go back to the published specs and fix it immediately.

[Anonymous]

I am a bit surprised at this. If I can connect to GDB files in Trimble Business Centre and a freeware like QGIS, why not Civil 3D?

The route via shapefiles does not work. Shapefiles have a "Number of Characters" limitation (max 10 characters). So when you convert GDB file to Shapefiles, the attributes get truncated to 10 characters resulting in duplicate attributes and get rejected. So, that is NOT a robust work around. It may work in some cases though.

AutoDESK has a relationship with ESRI. (We can export to FGDB format !!). AutoDESK should, in the interest of their customers enable connection to GDB files. Afterall ESRI is developing competing CAD software and promoting the same.

CAD, GIS and Survey Softwares can no longer survive in silos. Those days are over.

[ChicagoLooper]

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@Anonymous wrote:

<<the attributes get truncated to 10 characters resulting in duplicate attributes and get rejected.>

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The 'field name' gets shortened. The attributes themselves don't get truncated. Edit the field names and make them abbreviated.

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@Anonymous wrote:

<<AutoDESK should, in the interest of their customers enable connection to GDB files.>>

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And AutoCAD should make us coffee in the morning so we don't have to make our own. After all, top 3 customer needs are: (1) coffee, (2) gdb connections, (3) Cheetos.

[Anonymous]

Thanks.

Will check this route.

Regards.

[Anonymous]

You can also convert the entire GDB to shape files in one operation using ArcCatalog.  It takes a while for it to process (depending upon your file size and complexity) but much better than doing one at a time.

[Gary_Braun]

Truncated field names are an annoyance, but not a serious problem. My biggest issue with shapefiles is that they don't support circular curves, so all of your arcs get stroked. At least a fGDB will retain the correct geometry.

[Anonymous]

I'm also getting this issue, however I might've stumbled across the solution here (note: I'm using AutoCAD 2022 Map 3D 64-bit, and this article is from 2016) - "To Bring In Features From ArcGIS" https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-map-3d/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2016/EN...

It says "The ArcGIS provider uses the ESRI ArcObjects 10 API. It is available for the AutoCAD Map 3D 32-bit version only. It is not available for the 64-bit version or for Autodesk Infrastructure Map Server. "

So, perhaps the problem is that we're using 64-bit ACAD when only 32-bit will work?

EDIT: I can't seem to find a 32-bit version of ACAD Map 3D (my subscription allows 2019+). I can see the 32-bit and 64-bit options for vanilla ACAD, but only 64-bit for Map 3D - dead end 😕

[Muthya]

Thanks.

Yes, looks like it is the end.

Why AutoDESK cannot have an appropriate arrangement with ESRI beats me. Other Software in CAD family have this facility.

We have now bought an ArcGIS Online and Arc GIS Pro Basic subscription and managing.

Thanks again for the input.