Importing USGS Quads into AutoCAD Map

The Geology & Geophysics Computer Lab has 2 licenses for AutoDesk AutoCAD Map (release 3).  This application has excellent features for dealing with precise maps of topographic, geologic, and geographic databases.  Its only drawbacks are the steep learning curve for the application -- one must put a bit of time into learning the interface.  On the plus side, AutoDesk AutoCAD is the industry standard for engineering graphics (looks good on the resume).

AutoCAD Map is the best application we have available in the department for dealing with geographic data in actual map coordinate systems (like UTM, Lat/Lon, etc.) and an actual map datum (such as NAD27 or WGS84).

One option for importing USGS data into AutoCAD Map is to use the digitizing table.  The AutoCAD Map has an excellent interface to the digitizer built in.  (See the “Digitizing” cookbook for a tutorial on how to do this.)

Another option is to obtain data electronically (download, CD from Library, etc.) and import it into your drawing.  This cookbook details how to import downloaded USGS materials into AutoCAD Map.

Download

The USGS makes data for Alaska available at several websites.  The exact content and location of these sites is continually changing.  In January 2001, the site at http://agdc.usgs.gov/data/usgs/geodata/ was quite good.
 

Revised January 2001
 

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Last modified August 3, 2006 by geology@uaf.edu