Bridging Between CAD & GIS:
8 Ways to Automate Your
Data Integration
Meet the Presenters
Dale Lutz Jovita Chan
Agenda for today:
● Migrating CAD drawings to GIS
○ Challenges (complex geometry, annotations)
○ Real-world solutions
○ Demo: Digital plan submission workflow
● Sharing GIS data with CAD users
○ Challenges (coordinate systems)
○ Real-world solutions
○ Demo: Requesting CAD data from GIS workflow
● Q&A
Our Mission
To help you maximize
the value of data.
FME®
Integration Platform
Connect. Transform. Automate.
FME Desktop FME Server FME Cloud
Build & Run Data Workflows Automate Data Workflows
(on-premises)
Automate Data Workflows
(hosted FME Server)
Mobile Apps
Access the Power of FME
Wherever You Are
Get a free trial of FME Desktop and FME Server at safe.com
CAD vs. GIS:
Different Perspectives
CAD users have a drawing
perspective:
● Layers & levels
● Styles & Symbology
● Dimensions & Labels
CAD vs. GIS:
Different Perspectives
GIS users have a feature perspective:
● Attributes and geometry
● Data structure, model
● Relational tables, domains
● Location (including Coordinate
System)
● Connectivity and proximity
● Analysis
Scenario 1: Building Areas
Part 1:
Migrating CAD Drawings to GIS
Scenario 1: Building Areas for GIS
The Task
Convert
Microstation drawn
Forest Cover maps
to be used in GIS
analysis
The Problem
Forest Cover maps
store boundary
lines and interior
points to represent
areas. GIS wants
areas with
attributes.
The Solution
Use FMEʼs
AreaBuilder and
PointOnArea
Overlayer to create
the areas with
correct attributes
The Result
GIS ready data
from a process
easily automated
and able to run
over thousands of
input files.
Input
Solution
Recap: Building Areas for GIS
The Task
Build areas from
CAD linework
Tips for Success
● Discover the names FME assigns to CAD
properties to filter/route data
○ Feature Information Window
○ Feature Type -> Format Attributes
○ Tester
● Use Geometric operations to convert
representation to information
○ AreaBuilder
○ PointOnAreaOverlay
The Solution
Use FMEʼs
transformation
capabilities to
quickly convert
CAD lines and
points into GIS
ready data
Scenario 2: Transforming from CAD to GeoJSON
Migrating CAD Drawings to GIS
Transforming from CAD to GeoJSON
The Task
Create a GeoJSON File
containing geometries
and text from original
CAD files.
The Problem
DWG file has rooms
drawn as closed
polylines, all in 1 layer.
Within each polyline,
there are 2 text labels
on different layers.
The Solution
Extract CAD properties
into unique attributes
and combine multiple
entities into one.
The Result
Data where it needs to
be! The rooms are
transformed to
geometries and text
labels are properties of
the geometries.
Scenario 2
Thanks to our community
for this great question!
Ask a question & get answers at
safe.com/community
Input:
Township of Langley Open Data
Solution
Recap: Transforming from CAD to GeoJSON
The Task
Produce a single
GeoJSON file.
Tips for Success
● Extract CAD properties into unique
attributes with
TextPropertyExtractor
● Use PointOnAreaOverlay to
combine multiple entities into one
● Use Tester to do sanity checks
The Solution
Extract CAD
properties into
unique attributes
and combine
multiple entities
into one.
Canʼt Remember 400+
Transformers?
Find your perfect transformer
safe.com/transformers
You donʼt need to!
Use the FME Transformer Gallery.
● Filter by category
● Quick Add aliases (verb + ʻerʼ)
● Access it in Workbench
(View > Windows > Transformer Gallery)
Scenario 3: Moving From Labels To Attributes with Proximity
Migrating CAD Drawings to GIS
Scenario 3: Moving From Labels To
Attributes with Proximity
The Task
Transfer label
information to nearby
lines.
The Problem
Containment is not an
option.
The Solution
Proximity matching
with the
NeighbourFinder.
The Result
Label information is
transferred to nearby
lines.
Input:
Solution
Recap: Moving From Labels To Attributes with
Proximity
The Task
Transfer label
information to
nearby lines.
Tips for Success
● Use NeighborFinder to do
proximity matching
● Automate QA using Tester
○ Humans may need to do final
QA
● Consider LineCombiner to join
short lines into longer ones
○ Pseudo-node removal
The Solution
Proximity
matching.
Scenario 4: Battling Schema Drift
Migrating CAD Drawings to GIS
What is Schema Drift?
Solve more schema drift:
safe.com/webinars
A change in the source or
target data definition.
Usually accompanied by
frustration and time loss.
“Theyʼve added yet another column
to my excel spreadsheet – this
schema drift has got to stop!”
Schema Drift Example 1:
No naming specification followed
Road, Street, Roads, Streets, StreetLines, ...
Overcoming Schema Drift
Example 1: No naming specification followed
The Task
Migrate CAD linework to
a new CAD standard for
use in both CAD and
GIS.
The Problem
No specification was
followed (or it changed)
and the input layers
have a wide range of
names
The Solution
Scan for the complete
set of names and make
a mapping to the
desired CAD/GIS
naming. Apply the
mapping on translation.
The Result
A flexible input process
created with a
minimum of manual
effort and a cleaned up
CAD file ready for
sharing or GIS import!
Recap: Moving to a Naming Specification
The Task
Modify CAD data to
conform to a naming
convention for layers
Tips for Success
● Use DuplicateFilter to find unique
layer names
● Track the layer mapping in
spreadsheet
● Apply the layer mapping using a
DatabaseJoiner
● Use Feature Type Fanout to route
data to the new, correct layers
The Solution
Extract existing names,
create a mapping
spreadsheet, apply to
create conformant CAD
files
Schema Drift Example 2:
Decode Attribute-rich Layer Names
Layer Name: xxxYYYYMMDDzz
xxx = 3 character code for road type
YYYYMMDD = 8 digits for date of last update
zz = 2 characters to represent collection method
Overcoming Schema Drift
Example 2: Decode Attribute-rich Layer Names
The Task
Extract attributes
encoded in CAD layer
names for use in GIS
The Problem
A comprehensive
specification embedded
attributes in parts of the
layerʼs name, making it
very hard to understand
or otherwise use the
data.
The Solution
Split attributes to pick
out the parts, then
apply lookups to
decode to useful values.
The Result
Understandable,
GIS-ready dataset.
Recap: Decode Attribute-rich Layer Names
The Task
Extract attributes
encoded in CAD layer
names for use in GIS
Tips for Success
● AttributeSplitter to break apart the
layer name
● Expose the resulting list elements
result{}->result{0},result{1}...
● Decode the parts using a
DatabaseJoiner or
AttributeValueMapper
● Route to an attribute-rich GIS dataset
The Solution
Split layer names into
parts, apply lookups to
create understandable
attribute values
Scenario 5: Digital Plan Submission
Migrating CAD Drawings to GIS
CUSTOMER STORY
“We chose FME for this project because
the interface is easy to use and allows
us to provide an adaptable solution to
enhance interaction with the Cityʼs
partners”
- Erika Provost, City of Henderson
PROJECT
Digital Plan Submission Project
SOLUTION
FME provides self-serve CAD data
upload, validation, and integration
into GIS
RESULTS
● Reduced data integration time by
75%
● Eliminated the risk of manual error
● Removed duplicate work
● Faster processing of submissions
● Ensured CAD data validation
City of
Henderson
Scenario 5: Digital Plan Submission
The Task
Create a digital plan
submission to
automatically check
and upload CAD
drawings to ArcGIS
Online.
The Problem
It takes time and
manual effort to
process development
plans (clean up
geometry, and extract
data), to combine into
GIS data.
The Solution
Use FME to validate CAD
submissions before
automatically
uploading to ArcGIS
Online.
The Result
Submissions that meet
requirements are
uploaded to ArcGIS
Online, and ones that
donʼt are sent back for
fixing.
Input: DWG Parcels
Demo CAD Standards:
● Attribution:
○ Layer schema (specific layer
naming)
○ Parcels contain ID
○ Roads have names
● Geometry
○ Layers contain specific geometry
(ex. roads are lines)
○ Parcels are polygons
○ Blocks are points
Next stop...
Enable event-driven automations
using a web user interface.
FME Server
Results in ArcGIS Online:
Parcels Layer
Roads Layer
Recap: Digital Submission Plan
The Task
Create a digital plan
submission from DWG
to AGOL.
Tips for Success
The Solution
Use FME to check
CAD submissions
for criteria before
automatically
uploading to
ArcGIS Online.
● Preserve labels and attribution from text, blocks or dimensions
● Interpret layers, styles or symbols as attributes
● Improve geometry:
○ Creating connectivity
■ Snapper
■ Intersector
○ Forming areas from lines
■ AreaBuilder
● Combine geometry and attributes using proximity
○ PointOnAreaOverlay
○ NeighborFinder
Part 2:
Sharing GIS data with CAD users
GIS to CAD Challenges
● Creating visually appealing
CAD drawings
● Represent GIS intelligence
● Use expected symbology
Sharing GIS data with CAD users
Scenario 6: Applying Styling
Scenario 6: Applying Styling
The Task
Produce output
conforming to the CAD
styling specification of
the engineering
department.
The Problem
GIS data doesnʼt have
explicit styling
information, but a CAD
styling specification is
available.
The Solution
Use the DWGStyler or
DGNStyler to prepare
data for output to CAD.
Store styling
information in a
spreadsheet and apply
it during translation.
The Result
Happy CAD technicians
and an effortless flow of
data between
departments and
disciplines.
Input:
Source: City of Gävle Open Data
Solution:
Output:
Recap: Applying Styling
The Task
Produce output
conforming to the CAD
styling specification of
the engineering
department.
Tips for Success
● Hold styling specifications external
to the FME Workspace
● Use a Template CAD file to provide
symbol and layer definitions
● Apply using a DatabaseJoiner
● Use DWGStyler to set
appropropriate styling format
attributes
The Solution
Store styling
information in a
spreadsheet and apply
it during translation.
Sharing GIS data with CAD users
Scenario 7: Self Serve Data Requests
CUSTOMER STORY
Project
Automated “One Call” system
Solution
FME automatically extracts information
from GIS and asset management systems
to fulfill underground information
packages.
Results
● Reduced package turnaround time
from 3 days to 3 minutes.
● Re-allocated dedicated staff resource
to other high-value services.
● Removed the risk of manual errors.
City of Burnaby
“Because of FME we were able to process
tickets 24/7 - anytime, anywhere.”
Herman Louie, City of Burnaby
Self Serve Data Request
The Task
Deliver data and assets
around the office to the
departments that need it,
whenever they need it.
The Problem
The only way to access
data is by talking with
the stakeholders. This
leaves employees
waiting for responses
and wasting time.
The Solution
Build a self-serve data
portal using FME.
The Result
Improved collaboration
as users can serve
themselves accurate
data whenever they
want to.
Solution
Using the Geometry Picker in FME Server
Template DWG
Recap: Self Serve Data Request
The Task
Deliver data and assets
around the office to the
departments.
Tips for Success
The Solution
Build a self-serve
data portal using
FME
● Use styler transformers to easily set format attributes
○ DWGStyler
○ DGNStyler
● Use labeller transformers to generate labels
○ LabelPointReplacer
○ Labeller
○ MapTextLabeller (extra cost)
Achieve harmony between CAD & GIS
by automating its integration.
Tutorials in the FME Community
● GIS to CAD: Convert Parcel
Polygons and Lines from
Geodatabase to DGN
● How to Convert DGN to Shapefile
(CAD Levels to GIS Attributes)
● Getting Started with AutoCAD
● Using the Geometry Picker in
FME Server
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Q&A
The Peak of Data Integration 2022 UC
August 24-26, 2022 Vancouver, Canada
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Bridging Between CAD & GIS: 8 Ways to Automate Your Data Integration

  • 1.
    Bridging Between CAD& GIS: 8 Ways to Automate Your Data Integration
  • 2.
    Meet the Presenters DaleLutz Jovita Chan
  • 3.
    Agenda for today: ●Migrating CAD drawings to GIS ○ Challenges (complex geometry, annotations) ○ Real-world solutions ○ Demo: Digital plan submission workflow ● Sharing GIS data with CAD users ○ Challenges (coordinate systems) ○ Real-world solutions ○ Demo: Requesting CAD data from GIS workflow ● Q&A
  • 4.
    Our Mission To helpyou maximize the value of data.
  • 5.
    FME® Integration Platform Connect. Transform.Automate. FME Desktop FME Server FME Cloud Build & Run Data Workflows Automate Data Workflows (on-premises) Automate Data Workflows (hosted FME Server) Mobile Apps Access the Power of FME Wherever You Are Get a free trial of FME Desktop and FME Server at safe.com
  • 6.
    CAD vs. GIS: DifferentPerspectives CAD users have a drawing perspective: ● Layers & levels ● Styles & Symbology ● Dimensions & Labels
  • 7.
    CAD vs. GIS: DifferentPerspectives GIS users have a feature perspective: ● Attributes and geometry ● Data structure, model ● Relational tables, domains ● Location (including Coordinate System) ● Connectivity and proximity ● Analysis
  • 8.
    Scenario 1: BuildingAreas Part 1: Migrating CAD Drawings to GIS
  • 9.
    Scenario 1: BuildingAreas for GIS The Task Convert Microstation drawn Forest Cover maps to be used in GIS analysis The Problem Forest Cover maps store boundary lines and interior points to represent areas. GIS wants areas with attributes. The Solution Use FMEʼs AreaBuilder and PointOnArea Overlayer to create the areas with correct attributes The Result GIS ready data from a process easily automated and able to run over thousands of input files.
  • 11.
  • 12.
  • 13.
    Recap: Building Areasfor GIS The Task Build areas from CAD linework Tips for Success ● Discover the names FME assigns to CAD properties to filter/route data ○ Feature Information Window ○ Feature Type -> Format Attributes ○ Tester ● Use Geometric operations to convert representation to information ○ AreaBuilder ○ PointOnAreaOverlay The Solution Use FMEʼs transformation capabilities to quickly convert CAD lines and points into GIS ready data
  • 14.
    Scenario 2: Transformingfrom CAD to GeoJSON Migrating CAD Drawings to GIS
  • 15.
    Transforming from CADto GeoJSON The Task Create a GeoJSON File containing geometries and text from original CAD files. The Problem DWG file has rooms drawn as closed polylines, all in 1 layer. Within each polyline, there are 2 text labels on different layers. The Solution Extract CAD properties into unique attributes and combine multiple entities into one. The Result Data where it needs to be! The rooms are transformed to geometries and text labels are properties of the geometries. Scenario 2
  • 16.
    Thanks to ourcommunity for this great question! Ask a question & get answers at safe.com/community
  • 17.
  • 18.
  • 19.
    Recap: Transforming fromCAD to GeoJSON The Task Produce a single GeoJSON file. Tips for Success ● Extract CAD properties into unique attributes with TextPropertyExtractor ● Use PointOnAreaOverlay to combine multiple entities into one ● Use Tester to do sanity checks The Solution Extract CAD properties into unique attributes and combine multiple entities into one.
  • 20.
    Canʼt Remember 400+ Transformers? Findyour perfect transformer safe.com/transformers You donʼt need to! Use the FME Transformer Gallery. ● Filter by category ● Quick Add aliases (verb + ʻerʼ) ● Access it in Workbench (View > Windows > Transformer Gallery)
  • 21.
    Scenario 3: MovingFrom Labels To Attributes with Proximity Migrating CAD Drawings to GIS
  • 22.
    Scenario 3: MovingFrom Labels To Attributes with Proximity The Task Transfer label information to nearby lines. The Problem Containment is not an option. The Solution Proximity matching with the NeighbourFinder. The Result Label information is transferred to nearby lines.
  • 23.
  • 24.
  • 25.
    Recap: Moving FromLabels To Attributes with Proximity The Task Transfer label information to nearby lines. Tips for Success ● Use NeighborFinder to do proximity matching ● Automate QA using Tester ○ Humans may need to do final QA ● Consider LineCombiner to join short lines into longer ones ○ Pseudo-node removal The Solution Proximity matching.
  • 26.
    Scenario 4: BattlingSchema Drift Migrating CAD Drawings to GIS
  • 27.
    What is SchemaDrift? Solve more schema drift: safe.com/webinars A change in the source or target data definition. Usually accompanied by frustration and time loss. “Theyʼve added yet another column to my excel spreadsheet – this schema drift has got to stop!”
  • 28.
    Schema Drift Example1: No naming specification followed Road, Street, Roads, Streets, StreetLines, ...
  • 29.
    Overcoming Schema Drift Example1: No naming specification followed The Task Migrate CAD linework to a new CAD standard for use in both CAD and GIS. The Problem No specification was followed (or it changed) and the input layers have a wide range of names The Solution Scan for the complete set of names and make a mapping to the desired CAD/GIS naming. Apply the mapping on translation. The Result A flexible input process created with a minimum of manual effort and a cleaned up CAD file ready for sharing or GIS import!
  • 36.
    Recap: Moving toa Naming Specification The Task Modify CAD data to conform to a naming convention for layers Tips for Success ● Use DuplicateFilter to find unique layer names ● Track the layer mapping in spreadsheet ● Apply the layer mapping using a DatabaseJoiner ● Use Feature Type Fanout to route data to the new, correct layers The Solution Extract existing names, create a mapping spreadsheet, apply to create conformant CAD files
  • 37.
    Schema Drift Example2: Decode Attribute-rich Layer Names Layer Name: xxxYYYYMMDDzz xxx = 3 character code for road type YYYYMMDD = 8 digits for date of last update zz = 2 characters to represent collection method
  • 38.
    Overcoming Schema Drift Example2: Decode Attribute-rich Layer Names The Task Extract attributes encoded in CAD layer names for use in GIS The Problem A comprehensive specification embedded attributes in parts of the layerʼs name, making it very hard to understand or otherwise use the data. The Solution Split attributes to pick out the parts, then apply lookups to decode to useful values. The Result Understandable, GIS-ready dataset.
  • 42.
    Recap: Decode Attribute-richLayer Names The Task Extract attributes encoded in CAD layer names for use in GIS Tips for Success ● AttributeSplitter to break apart the layer name ● Expose the resulting list elements result{}->result{0},result{1}... ● Decode the parts using a DatabaseJoiner or AttributeValueMapper ● Route to an attribute-rich GIS dataset The Solution Split layer names into parts, apply lookups to create understandable attribute values
  • 43.
    Scenario 5: DigitalPlan Submission Migrating CAD Drawings to GIS
  • 44.
    CUSTOMER STORY “We choseFME for this project because the interface is easy to use and allows us to provide an adaptable solution to enhance interaction with the Cityʼs partners” - Erika Provost, City of Henderson PROJECT Digital Plan Submission Project SOLUTION FME provides self-serve CAD data upload, validation, and integration into GIS RESULTS ● Reduced data integration time by 75% ● Eliminated the risk of manual error ● Removed duplicate work ● Faster processing of submissions ● Ensured CAD data validation City of Henderson
  • 45.
    Scenario 5: DigitalPlan Submission The Task Create a digital plan submission to automatically check and upload CAD drawings to ArcGIS Online. The Problem It takes time and manual effort to process development plans (clean up geometry, and extract data), to combine into GIS data. The Solution Use FME to validate CAD submissions before automatically uploading to ArcGIS Online. The Result Submissions that meet requirements are uploaded to ArcGIS Online, and ones that donʼt are sent back for fixing.
  • 46.
  • 47.
    Demo CAD Standards: ●Attribution: ○ Layer schema (specific layer naming) ○ Parcels contain ID ○ Roads have names ● Geometry ○ Layers contain specific geometry (ex. roads are lines) ○ Parcels are polygons ○ Blocks are points
  • 48.
    Next stop... Enable event-drivenautomations using a web user interface. FME Server
  • 49.
    Results in ArcGISOnline: Parcels Layer Roads Layer
  • 50.
    Recap: Digital SubmissionPlan The Task Create a digital plan submission from DWG to AGOL. Tips for Success The Solution Use FME to check CAD submissions for criteria before automatically uploading to ArcGIS Online. ● Preserve labels and attribution from text, blocks or dimensions ● Interpret layers, styles or symbols as attributes ● Improve geometry: ○ Creating connectivity ■ Snapper ■ Intersector ○ Forming areas from lines ■ AreaBuilder ● Combine geometry and attributes using proximity ○ PointOnAreaOverlay ○ NeighborFinder
  • 51.
    Part 2: Sharing GISdata with CAD users
  • 52.
    GIS to CADChallenges ● Creating visually appealing CAD drawings ● Represent GIS intelligence ● Use expected symbology
  • 53.
    Sharing GIS datawith CAD users Scenario 6: Applying Styling
  • 54.
    Scenario 6: ApplyingStyling The Task Produce output conforming to the CAD styling specification of the engineering department. The Problem GIS data doesnʼt have explicit styling information, but a CAD styling specification is available. The Solution Use the DWGStyler or DGNStyler to prepare data for output to CAD. Store styling information in a spreadsheet and apply it during translation. The Result Happy CAD technicians and an effortless flow of data between departments and disciplines.
  • 55.
    Input: Source: City ofGävle Open Data
  • 56.
  • 57.
  • 58.
    Recap: Applying Styling TheTask Produce output conforming to the CAD styling specification of the engineering department. Tips for Success ● Hold styling specifications external to the FME Workspace ● Use a Template CAD file to provide symbol and layer definitions ● Apply using a DatabaseJoiner ● Use DWGStyler to set appropropriate styling format attributes The Solution Store styling information in a spreadsheet and apply it during translation.
  • 59.
    Sharing GIS datawith CAD users Scenario 7: Self Serve Data Requests
  • 60.
    CUSTOMER STORY Project Automated “OneCall” system Solution FME automatically extracts information from GIS and asset management systems to fulfill underground information packages. Results ● Reduced package turnaround time from 3 days to 3 minutes. ● Re-allocated dedicated staff resource to other high-value services. ● Removed the risk of manual errors. City of Burnaby “Because of FME we were able to process tickets 24/7 - anytime, anywhere.” Herman Louie, City of Burnaby
  • 61.
    Self Serve DataRequest The Task Deliver data and assets around the office to the departments that need it, whenever they need it. The Problem The only way to access data is by talking with the stakeholders. This leaves employees waiting for responses and wasting time. The Solution Build a self-serve data portal using FME. The Result Improved collaboration as users can serve themselves accurate data whenever they want to.
  • 62.
    Solution Using the GeometryPicker in FME Server
  • 63.
  • 64.
    Recap: Self ServeData Request The Task Deliver data and assets around the office to the departments. Tips for Success The Solution Build a self-serve data portal using FME ● Use styler transformers to easily set format attributes ○ DWGStyler ○ DGNStyler ● Use labeller transformers to generate labels ○ LabelPointReplacer ○ Labeller ○ MapTextLabeller (extra cost)
  • 65.
    Achieve harmony betweenCAD & GIS by automating its integration.
  • 66.
    Tutorials in theFME Community ● GIS to CAD: Convert Parcel Polygons and Lines from Geodatabase to DGN ● How to Convert DGN to Shapefile (CAD Levels to GIS Attributes) ● Getting Started with AutoCAD ● Using the Geometry Picker in FME Server
  • 67.
    Claim Your CommunityBadge Get community badges for watching webinars! fme.ly/WebinarBadge Todayʼs Code: CSLBG
  • 68.
  • 69.
    The Peak ofData Integration 2022 UC August 24-26, 2022 Vancouver, Canada Register now
  • 70.
    Check out ourupcoming & on-demand webinars: safe.com/webinars
  • 71.
    Thank you! Download FME2022.0 Free Trial | Upgrade Contact us info@safe.com Connect with us in the Community Connect with us for more FME Please share your feedback with us through the webinar survey!