Supported AutoCAD and MicroStation geometry

ArcGIS Pro reads CAD files as CAD feature datasets that contain read-only CAD feature classes. The following table identifies the supported CAD entities from AutoCAD and MicroStation and the corresponding ArcGIS feature class geometry types.

Note:

Content stored in AutoCAD paper space is not translated, and it is not viewable in ArcGIS Pro.

ArcGIS CAD feature classAutoCAD entityMicroStation element

Annotation (point feature type)

  • The (CAD) justification property determines the point's location.
  • The text string is stored in the TEXT field.
  • Symbols are rendered with equivalent ArcGIS fonts. The Arial font is substituted if an equivalent symbol is unavailable.

Text

Text

Multiline text

Block attributes defined as visible

Point

External reference

Block reference

  • The base point determines the point's location.
  • Attribute tag names are displayed as field headings in the attribute table.
  • Attribute values are translated as field values. Data types are assigned on the fly based on the contents of the field.
  • Geometry is displayed in the appropriate feature class type.

Cell header

Point

Polyline

3D face

Shape

3D polyline

Complex shape

Arc

Arc

Circle

Curve

Ellipse

Ellipse

Block reference (supported entities only)

Cell header

Line

Line

LWPolyline

Line string

MLine

Multiline

Polyline

Complex chain

Solid

Surface

Spline

Trace

Polygon

3D face

Shape

3D polyline (closed)

Complex shape

Circle

Ellipse

Ellipse

Block reference (supported entities only)

Cell header

LWPolyline (closed)

MLine (closed)

Polyline (closed)

Solid

Solid

Spline (closed)

Trace

Multipatch

3D face

3D polyline (closed)

Complex shape

Block reference (supported entities only)

Cell header

LWPolyline (closed)

MLine (closed)

Polyline (closed)

Solid

Solid

3D Solid

Mesh

Mesh

Supported AutoCAD and MicroStation geometry

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