Assignment5: AutoCAD Integration Exercise

Problem:
ArcGIS has the ability to automatically convert files to and from AutoCAD for ease of use between the programs. For this exercise we were to convert CAD files to GIS for use in our mapping of current and future facilities on NC States campus. This exercise required us to use the Georeferencing tool to reference our Cad file to our Campus Ortho Photo. We also were to convert the polyline files to polygon files in our map using a feature in the ArcGIS toolbox.

Analysis Procedures:
1. Strategies: Using the AutoCAD drawing file (NCST_Masterplan05.dwg) and the orthophoto of NC States campus (NCST20.SID) provided, we will use ArcMAP to georeference the CAD file and convert the layers of interest into polygons and transfer them to a geodatabase. 2. Methods: Open the Orthophoto of campus (NCST20.SID) in ArcMAP. Using ArcCatalog insert the polyline data from the NCST_Masterplan05.dwg file into your ArcMAP document. Using the georeferencing toolbar stretch and align the polyline layer onto the image of campus. Then use the add data points feature in the georeferencing toolbar to line up specific points on the two images. Once two points are selected, highlight the update georeferencing selection in the dropdown menu of the toolbar and this will set the reference for the CAD images. Next we can open the properties of the polyline layer and go to the Drawing Layers tab and select only the layers needed for the project. Once these are selected then go to the Symbology tab and select layers as the feature type to display to get the selected layers on the map. Then we can use the attribute table and make selections by layer names and create individual layers of each layer type. To convert the polyline layer of existing buildings to polygons use the ArcToolbox Feature to Polygon tool using the polyline layer as the input file and the output will be the polygon file. To save your layers in a geodatabase use; ArcCatalog to create a new geodatabase and export each of your layers into the geodatabase individually. This will allow you to have all the necessary data in a geodatabase format.

Results:
This is the contents of the world file of the georeferenced image:

Here is the screenshot of the final map showing the polygon layers of interest over the aerial photo of NC States campus.

Application and Reflection:

Problem Description: For city planning purposes we could use this functionality to see the impacts of future buildings on things like traffic flow or footprint changes. This could be useful if a future building is planned on the site of several existing structures. You could make each feature a layer to identify what will be built on top of what was already there. Also you could set in a traffic map to see what streets will be impacted by construction for planning purposes. Data Needed: To accomplish all if the things identified in the problem description we will need Cad files for future and current structures and GIS data for the traffic patterns and volumes. A aerial photo of the city we are planning for will be needed to properly show the relationship of all of our data. Analysis Procedures: All of the Data can be displayed in ArcGIS. We will project our CAD files onto our aerial photograph to show current and future buildings. Then our traffic pattern and volume layers can be displayed on the map to see if construction will affect to major roadways or busy streets.