How to Bring CAD Text and Drawings into ArcMap and Export to KML

 

Auto CAD to Google Earth

Are you working with AutoCAD drawings and want to bring your text, polylines, and polygons into ArcMap? Or maybe you want to export the entire dataset to Google Earth (KML)? In this blog post, I’ll guide you step by step with a robust workflow that works perfectly for both TEXT and MTEXT.

Why This Workflow Matters

CAD drawings often contain:

• Polylines (lines)
• Polygons (areas)
• Text or annotations (labels, MTEXT)

ArcMap does not automatically treat CAD text as GIS data. By following this workflow:

• You can edit, query, and symbolize all CAD elements in ArcMap.
• You can export all your data (lines, polygons, and text) to KML for Google Earth.
• You keep your work organized in a single geodatabase, which is easy to manage and share.

Step 1: Prepare Your CAD File 🖊️

Before importing CAD into ArcMap:

1. Open your drawing in AutoCAD.
2. Run PURGE and OVERKILL to clean unnecessary elements.
3. Freeze or hide layers you don’t need.
4. Save your DWG in AutoCAD 2018 format (ArcMap supports 2013–2018 DWG/DXF best).
5. Ensure the CAD drawing uses real-world coordinates if possible (MUTM, local TM, or other).

Step 2: Add CAD to ArcMap ➕

1. Open ArcMap 10.8.2 → Add Data → select your DWG.

2. Turn on sublayers:

• Annotation → TEXT + MTEXT
• Polyline
• Polygon

1. Check that the coordinates are roughly correct using reference points.

Step 3: Import CAD Annotation into Geodatabase 🗄️

To work robustly with CAD text:

1. ArcToolbox → Conversion Tools → To Geodatabase → Import CAD Annotation.
2. Input: your DWG file.
3. Output: Annotation Feature Class in your File Geodatabase.
4. Optional: define the spatial reference (very important for real-world mapping).
   
   Now your CAD text is stored as ArcGIS annotation, which is editable and scalable. ✅

Step 4: Convert Annotation to Points 📍

KML cannot read ArcGIS annotation directly. To include text in KML:

1. ArcToolbox → Data Management → Features → Feature To Point.
2. Input: your annotation feature class.
3. Output: new point feature class.
4. Check the TextString field — it contains the original CAD text.

Now your text can be queried, symbolized, and exported like any other GIS feature.

Step 5: Organise All Layers in the Same Geodatabase 🗂️

To treat all CAD-derived data as one set:

1. Export or save all layers (polylines, polygons, points) into the same geodatabase:

• Right-click layer → Data → Export Features → select your geodatabase.
2. Optional: create a Group Layer in ArcMap to manage them together.

This keeps your data organized, editable, and ready for KML export.

Step 6: Project to Desired Coordinate System 🌍

If your CAD drawing uses MUTM and you want WGS 1984:

1. ArcToolbox → Data Management → Projections and Transformations → Feature → Project.
2. Input: your feature class (line, polygon, or point).
3. Output: geodatabase → choose WGS 1984 as coordinate system.
4. Repeat or use Batch Project for multiple layers.

Now all layers are in WGS 1984, perfect for Google Earth or GPS use.

Step 7: Export All Layers to KML 🚀

1. ArcToolbox → Conversion Tools → To KML → Layer To KML.
2. Input: all layers (polylines, polygons, points).
3. Output: .kmz or .kml file.
4. Open in Google Earth → lines, polygons, and points with text will appear correctly.

✅ Tip: adjust label size in ArcMap for better visibility in Google Earth.

🔹 Pro Tips

• Always define units and spatial reference correctly before import.
• Keep original DWG as backup.
• Use Batch Project to save time for multiple layers.
• For text-heavy CAD drawings, convert annotation to points early to preserve all text in KML.

💡 Conclusion

With this workflow, you can seamlessly bring CAD text, polylines, and polygons into ArcMap, organise them in a geodatabase, and export everything into KML for Google Earth. This method is robust, efficient, and ensures all your text and geometry data are preserved.