Civil 3D to FDO tables

[Anonymous]

We are typically a Map 3D and ESRI shop, recently we have been looking into automating some of our processes. 

When drawings are submitting to us from consultants they have Civil 3D Pipe Network information that we would like to capture and import into our FDO tables. 

In Map 3D there is a "To FDO Connection" feature but Civil 3D does not have this. 

Is there a way to export to FDO in Civil 3D? 

[ChicagoLooper]

No. The closest to exporting to FDO, as you out it, is to export cogo points to shapefile and the closest way automate this process is to literally COPY the columns and rows from the point panorama where tabular data includes lat/long and PASTE to a spreadsheet and that’s clunky, inefficient and not worth the effort. 

Infrastructure, such as pipe work and the civil properties that go with it, does not lend itself to tabular data. Also, Civil3D objects are considered non-AutoCad objects and cannot be exported to ESRI objects. 

Civil3D is best suited for graphics & design while feature data objects (FDO’s) are best suited for geospatial analysis, two different specialties and arguably two different user skill sets. 

The geospatial capabilities of C3D are accessed from the Planning & Analysis workspace, not from Civil3D workspace. 

While there the is common ground between Civil3D and ArcGIS Desktop (or ArcPro) many parts, IMO, should not overlap and be kept separate so their key functions are allowed to perform unencumbered.

If you are getting Civil drawings from other consultancies it would be beneficial for you to adjust and learn their program as opposed to making their program adjust to you and your firm. 

[samir_rezk · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous 

Historically, you can export Civil 3D Object to SDF (Autodesk Spatial Data Format) then use AutoCAD Map 3D to Bulk Copy SDF to SHP; this workflow will preserve the Pipe Network Data in the resulting SHP files.

go to the Output tab > Export panel > Export Civil Objects to SDF

In recent Civil 3D releases, it is now easier to Publish Civil 3D Objects directly to an ArcGIS Online organization Feature layer, or create a local ArcGIS FGDB (granted these two options can not be consumed in AutoCAD Map 3D)

Hope this helps,

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your help, I will pass this information on to my team members and see what they would like to do.  

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your help, I will pass this information on to my team members and see what they would like to do.