You can import maps from other formats into AutoCAD Map 3D. The imported data is brought into the current drawing and the geometry is converted to drawing objects. The attribute data and display options associated with the objects can also be imported.
In addition, you can specify an area of the map to import, assign incoming objects to existing object classes, and automatically perform a coordinate conversion on the objects as they are imported.
When you directly access data through FDO (using Data Connect), you make all edits and changes directly to the source. When you import data, you bring in a copy of the data and you cut the connection to the data source. Your changes are made only to the copy in your map.
Data you import becomes AutoCAD drawing objects in your map. To connect to the data in its original format, see Overview of Bringing In GIS Features. To convert the drawing objects to a geospatial format, see Overview of Converting and Exporting.
