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  • An overview of integrating CAD data
  • CAD feature dataset properties
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  • Adding and displaying CAD data

    • Adding CAD data to a map
    • Displaying CAD features
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    Defining a spatial reference

    • About CAD dataset spatial references
    • Defining a spatial reference for a CAD dataset
    • Projection files for CAD datasets

    Georeferencing CAD datasets

    • About georeferencing CAD datasets
    • Georeferencing CAD datasets
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    Defining a spatial reference for a CAD dataset

    ArcMap 10.8
    |
    Help archive
    ArcGIS Desktop is in mature support and will be retired March 1, 2026. There are no plans for future releases of ArcGIS Desktop, and it is recommended that you migrate to ArcGIS Pro. See Migrate from ArcMap to ArcGIS Pro for more information.
    • The CAD Feature Dataset Properties dialog box
    • The Define Projection tool

    You can define a spatial reference for CAD datasets in the following two ways:

    • Use the CAD Feature Dataset Properties dialog box.
    • Use the Define Projection geoprocessing tool.
    Both methods open the Spatial Reference Properties dialog box and provide a list of predefined coordinate systems and a menu bar with tools to import and clear the spatial reference.

    The CAD Feature Dataset Properties dialog box

    Defining a spatial reference with the CAD Feature Dataset Properties dialog box is performed in a Catalog window. This method stores the coordinate system differently depending on the file format and format version. If the CAD dataset is an AutoCAD drawing version 2007 or higher, it embeds the spatial reference in the source file. For all other formats and versions it creates an auxiliary projection (.prj) file.

    To open the Spatial Reference Properties dialog box, right-click the CAD dataset in a Catalog window and click Properties. In the CAD Feature Dataset Properties dialog box, click the General tab and click the Edit button.

    Select an existing coordinate system

    To select an existing coordinate system, click the coordinate system in the list box and click Ok.

    Import a coordinate system

    To import a coordinate system, click the Add Coordinate System drop-down menu Add Coordinate System from the menu bar and click Import. Browse to the file and select it, then click Add.

    You can import a coordinate system from other CAD datasets or from ArcGIS formats such as shapefiles, rasters, or geodatabase feature classes.

    Create a universal projection file

    To create a universal projection file, right-click the coordinate system in the list box and click Save As. Name the file esri_cad.prj and save it in the same folder along with the CAD files.

    The Define Projection tool

    Defining a spatial reference with the Define Projection tool can be performed in a Catalog window or in a geoprocessing model. This method always generates a projection (.prj) file regardless of the CAD file format. It names the projection file to match the drawing file name and saves it in the same folder. For AutoCAD drawings version 2007 or higher, this can effectively override a spatial reference embedded in the source CAD file.

    The tool is located in the Data Management > Projections and Transformations toolset.

    Related topics

    • CAD feature dataset properties
    • The properties of a spatial reference
    • About CAD dataset spatial references
    • Projection files for CAD datasets

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