Autodesk 15606-011408-9005 - MAP R6.3 NAMED-10U PK, Tutorials Manual, Page: 284 / 332

Lesson 4: Import SDF Files as DWG Layers
You moved some DWG data to SDF format and from there to SHP format, so
you can distribute it to people who use geospatial data.
You can move the data back into DWG format as needed. For example, if
other people change the data, you can reimport it so you have the latest
version. When you
import SHP or SDF files, data is added to your map as
drawing objects, not as geospatial data.
Exercise 1: Create a template for the imported material
When you import the SDF file into a map, you convert the data to DWG objects.
(If you connected to the SDF file, the objects would remain in SDF data format.)
To maintain the formatting of the original DWG objects that you exported
to SDF, create a template that duplicates that formatting.
Use the original drawing file as the basis for the template. That way, the
template automatically specifies the layers for the SDF feature classes.
NOTE This exercise uses the DWGMap.dwg map file you opened in Lesson 1:
Convert Drawing Layers to Feature Classes (page 250).
To create a template for the imported material
1 Open the original DWG file you exported to SDF.
■ Click
➤
Open
➤
Drawing.
■ Select the sample map called DWGMap.dwg
2 Save the drawing as a template (.dwt) file. Click
➤
Save As
➤
AutoCAD Drawing Template.
Name the file DWGImportTemplate.dwt.
When prompted, enter a description of the template and leave the other
settings set to their default values.
3 In the new template file, delete all the drawing objects so that the drawing
is empty.
Press Ctrl+A or use Zoom Window to select all the objects. Then press
the Delete key.
276 | Chapter 7 Tutorial: Managing Data From Different Sources