Missing attribute fields in CAD DWG feature classes

[AlexanderGleyzer]

Hello.

We are trying to read a DWG file containing multiple layers with attributes.

ArcGIS (starting with version 10.3) is supposed to "break down" the DWG into multiple "feature classes", each one having its own subset of attributes (according to the original DWG object data).

The problem is, that, although we can see those separate "feature class" layers - the actual attribute fields are not there.

Interestingly, when the same DWG is saved (in AutoCAD) as a DXF - the DXF dataset contains the same "feature classes" with the expected attribute fields.

The same behavior is encountered when employing the "CAD to Geodatabase" geoprocessing tool: the resulting FGDB feature classes lack the expected attribute fields when exported from a DWG and have those fields when exported from a DXF.

Is there anything we're missing?

We really need to be able to read those attribute fields.

Please, advise.

Thanks,

Alexander Gleyzer.

Attached:

• data.zip containing entity_005_heb_2012.dwg & entity_005_heb_2012.dxf (saved in AutoCAD to DXF from entity_005_heb_2012.dwg).
• dwg.jpg & dxf.jpg - ArcMap screenshots showing the expected & missing fields.

[AdrianWelsh]

Alexander,

That is a bit odd. I guess it's good that at least the DXF is showing up. Can you confirm which version of DWG you are exporting or saving to? Have you tried saving to other versions and trying that in GIS?

Here are the supported CAD formats for 10.5. Which version of GIS are you using? for 10.3 and such it is a little different.

Supported CAD formats in ArcGIS—Help | ArcGIS Desktop 

[AlexanderGleyzer]

Adrian,

We've tried the same DWG both in version AC1027 (AutoCAD 2013) and version AC1015 (AutoCAD 2000).

We're using ArcGIS for Desktop 10.4.1, which is supposed to support both of the above formats.

For both formats we're getting no attribute fields.

Alexander.

[AdrianWelsh]

Alexander,

Do you have other DWGs that have attributes that you can test to see if they behave as expected in ArcGIS? I'm wondering if it is just this file or if it is something with CAD.

[AlexanderGleyzer]

Adrian,

Actually, there are DWG files, that do show feature class attributes.

For instance, I have a DWG containing a "CELLNO" feature class with attributes - CELLNO, CODE, AREA.

Interestingly, it's the only feature class in the DWG.

Maybe this issue persists only when there are 2 or more feature classes?