Supported AutoCAD and MicroStation geometry

ArcGIS Desktop uses semantic data modeling techniques to translate CAD data. The result is a structured representation of the geometry contained in the drawing file. Typically, one CAD feature class displays many qualifying CAD entities or elements. The following table identifies these entity relationships and lists the AutoCAD and MicroStation geometry types that are supported by direct-read CAD datasets.

Note:

Content stored in AutoCAD paper space is not translated nor is it viewable in ArcGIS Desktop.

ArcGIS CAD feature class	AutoCAD entity	MicroStation element
Annotation (point feature type) The (CAD) justification property determines the point's location. The text string is stored in the field named TEXT. 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)
Multipatch	3D face
	3D polyline (closed)	Complex shape
	Block reference (supported entities only)	Cell header
	LWPolyline (closed)
	MLine (closed)
	Polyline (closed)
	Solid	Solid

Supported AutoCAD and MicroStation geometry