Exercise 4: Export the drawing layers to SDF - Map object data to feature class properties

Use the Feature Class tab to map the properties for each layer to its resulting feature class in the SDF file. You can specify some attributes as shared properties: all resulting feature classes have these properties. For example, Lineweight and Linestyle would apply to every feature class. You can specify other attributes as specific to a particular feature class. For example, Address would apply to Parcels only.

Note:

This exercise uses the DWGMap.dwg map file you opened and modified in Exercise 1: Examine the original drawing layers.

To specify the properties for the SDF feature classes

  1. In the Export dialog box, on the Feature Class tab, click Create Multiple Classes Based On A Drawing Object.
  2. For Drawing Object To Use, select Layer.

    The table in the dialog box updates to show the layer names and feature class names to use.

  3. Clear the check box for layer 0.
  4. Click Select Attributes.

    Attributes you specify here are assigned to every feature class in the SDF file. So select only attributes that are appropriate for all. For example, you can select general properties, which include things like Lineweight, but not object data properties, which are specific to each feature class.

  5. In the Select Attributes dialog box, expand the Object Properties item and the AcDbEntity and General items.
  6. Select the boxes for Lineweight and Linetype and click OK.

    Expand the parent items to select a subset of properties.

  7. In the Export dialog box, in the grid area, click the Feature Class cell for the first layer, Parcels.

    A button appears at the right side of the grid cell.

  8. Click for the Parcels Feature Class cell.
  9. In the Feature Class Property Mapping - Parcels dialog box, click Select Attributes.
  10. Expand the Object Data item and select Parcels.

    The resulting Parcels feature class has the object data fields for the Parcels layer, but not for any other layer.

  11. Click OK twice to return to the Feature Class tab.
  12. Click in the Geometry cell for Parcels and change the entry to Polygon.
  13. Repeat steps 6 through 11 for the remaining two feature classes, using the following table as a guideline.
    Drawing Property Feature Class Geometry
    Roads Roads Line
    Waterlines Waterlines Line
  14. Leave the Export dialog box open for the next exercise.

To continue this tutorial, go to Exercise 5: Export the drawing layers to SDF - Map Drawing Properties to Feature Class Properties.