Export objects from AutoCAD to spatial files or databases, and saves their Extended Entity Data (EED/XDATA) as alphanumeric data tables.

Limitation or modification in the original objects when exporting

There are some limitations and there may also be automatic changes in the objects when they are exported using Spatial Manager™ for AutoCAD.

• Limitations:
  • Filtering of incompatible objects: There are a few object types not supported by the export processes (such as Texts, MTexts or complex 3D objects), which are automatically filtered. The filter result is displayed before exporting on the “Objects report” of the first exporting wizard window.
• Modifications:
  • Some objects, such as Blocks or External References, are exported as Point Features (Insertion Points). In the case of the Blocks or XRef, you must explode them before exporting if you want to export their internal objects. The “Objects report” in the first exporting wizard window also warns the user about the number of Blocks and XRef Insertions if any have been selected to export.
  • Automatic complex geometric operations: The application will review and edit the selected objects in order to export geometries accommodated in the target format.

Sample: segmentation of an AutoCAD Circle when exported to a polygons Shapefile (SHP).

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Run exporting processes in the Command Line

Spatial Manager™ for AutoCAD includes the command -SPMEXPORT that allows you to execute parameters-driven export processes in the Command Line.

• Command parameters:
  • Source (Mandatory):
    • All – All objects in the drawing.
    • Layer – Objects in a Layer (Layer name).
    • Selection – Selected objects.
    • Table – Objects attached to a specific data table (Table name).
  • Destination (Mandatory):
    • User datasource – UDS name, Schema, Feature class.
    • File name – Full filename, including the file extension in order to select the data provider that must be used (Sample: C:\Temp\ExportLayer1.shp).
  • Geometry type (Optional. If not specified, all possible geometries will be exported — same as “All”):
    • All.
    • Point.
    • Line.
    • Polygon.
  • Run (Mandatory). To execute the command.
• This command allows you to automate the export processes by using it in “AutoCAD Scripts,” Lisp routines, etc. Some samples of the use of this command and its parameters in Lisp:
  • (command "-SPMEXPORT" "_S" "_A" "_D" "_F" "D:\\SpmExport\\Test.shp" "_R").
  • (command "-SPMEXPORT" "_S" "_L" "Layer005" "_D" "_F" "D:\\ExportTarget\\005.shp" "_R").
  • (command "-SPMEXPORT" "_S" "_L" "Layer005" "_D" "_U" "SERVER112\\SQLSERVER2019 (SQL)" "EXPORT_TEST" "005_TABLE" "_R").
  • (setq LayerToExport (getvar "clayer")) (setq Path (strcat "D:\\ExportTarget\\" LayerToExport ".shp")) (command "-SPMEXPORT" "_S" "_L" LayerToExport "_D" "_F" Path "_G" "_L" "_R").

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Export ‘AutoCAD Architecture’ (AEC) objects

Spatial Manager™ for AutoCAD allows you to export ‘AutoCAD Architecture’ (AEC) objects. The main purpose of this functionality is exporting AEC “Spaces”, which will be treated as closed polylines in any exporting process. The export usefulness for these objects is limited because the AEC properties are not exported.