A new version of ArcGIS for AutoCAD 365 is now available for free download. This popular Esri application is linking AutoCAD users with the ArcGIS platform. It provides self-service mapping to AutoCAD users through ArcGIS web services along with the ability to create and edit ArcGIS GIS data sets within AutoCAD drawing files. The drawing files with ArcGIS data sets within them can be read and written by ArcGIS desktop and ArcGIS for AutoCAD creating flexible file-base and enterprise services interoperability workflows. ArcGIS for AutoCAD works with 32bit and 64bit basic-AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D and AutoCAD Map 3D versions 2013-2017. Although not certified at this time it may also be used with AutoCAD 2018.
Watch this video for an overview of new features. You can also find a series of videos demonstrating these new capabilities more in-depth here.
New features of ArcGIS for AutoCAD 365 Include
AutoCAD block attribute-based feature field values
AutoCAD block attributes and ArcGIS feature attributes are now automatically linked so that, once defined with the same field name and tag name you can edit attributes using any AutoCAD interface or ArcGIS for AutoCAD method.
ESRI_BLOCKTOFC converts AutoCAD Blocks with Attributes to Local Feature Classes
The new ESRI_BLOCKTOFC command creates feature classes for blocks and defines attribute fields in the resulting feature classes, one for each block attribute, where the tag name of the attribute is used as the feature field name. Once created, field values will continue to be based on the block attribute value according to the new automatic block attribute and ArcGIS field matching behavior.
Feature Linked Labels: ESRI_PICKLABEL Command
The new ESRI_PICKLABEL command associates any selected AutoCAD text entity with an ArcGIS feature’s attribute field and is then used to populate and control that feature’s field value. After invoking the ESRI_PICK label command users will be prompted to specify which field to link text to. The tool will automatically zoom to each of the selected features and allow users to pick the text they want to use to control that feature’s field value.
Shared Text Values: ESRI_RELATETEXT Command
This new capability allows you to select any collection of text entities and their values will be kept in agreement, including those already linked to a field value. If you make a change to any of the text entities in the group or edit the field value linked to one of the text entities all of them are kept in agreement. In combination the new linked text capability and the ESRI_RELATETEXT commands can support many flexible labeling and field editing workflows.
Elevation Analysis Service Tools
In this newest release Esri subscription customers can utilize Esri’s Premium Global Elevation Analysis Services to establish the elevation within AutoCAD for features anywhere on the earth’s surface. The Esri subscription named user login is only required when accessing these premium services according to the established standard credit usage rate.
ESRI_ELEVATETOFIELD
The ESRI_ELEVATETOFIELD command will change the elevation of features based on any numeric field value to define the destination elevation. This tool does NOT require a named user login.
ESRI_ELEVATEFEAUTRE
Is a premium Elevation Analysis tool that I can access when I login to ArcGIS with my named user credentials. This tool will modify the elevation of features in my AutoCAD drawing based on the information from the Esri Global Elevation Service.
ESRI_ADDELEVATIONPROPERTIES
The ESRI_ADDELEVATIONPROPERTIES tool adds elevation, slope and aspect data to any features in an AutoCAD drawing to help users better understand the 3D location of a proposed building site or study area.
New AutoLISP Functions
A number of new AutoLISP routines have been added to this release. These include AutoLISP functions to work with the new linked label and related text behaviors. AutoLISP tools have been added to better control the automation and synchronization of feature services.
Updated Bonus Tools
The ArcGIS for AutoCAD sample AutoLISP functions have been updated to work with the new capabilities of ArcGIS for AutoCAD 365. The block handling tools and label placement tools have been enhanced to take advantage of the new feature linking and editing capabilities of this new release. This video outlines some of the new capabilities of this label placement sample tool.
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