FDO Data Access Technology enables AutoCAD Map 3D to directly and natively access spatial data stored in relational databases, files and web-based services and allows engineering and GIS departments to access and share the same data more effectively. Unlock spatial data anywhere in your organization with direct simultaneous read and write access to almost every relational database or file format commonly used by GIS Professionals. Access spatial databases such as ESRI® ArcSDE® and Oracle®, or use Microsoft® SQL Server™ and MySQL to store spatial data without expensive middleware. Directly access and edit ESRI SHP files, access raster imagery and connect to web services such as Web Map Services (WMS) and Web Feature Service (WFS) to take advantage of publicly available data sources. Direct access means no data translations, which helps ensure data accuracy.

Additionally, you can import and export files in AutoCAD Map 3D to exchange data with colleagues and customers. The AutoCAD Map 3D Import-Export engine interoperates with all major GIS software, so you can read, write, and transform industry-standard formats, including, Arc/Info® coverages, and E00 from ESRI® , MapInfo MIF/MID™, MapInfo Tab, MicroStation® DGN, Generalized Markup Language (GML 2), Ordnance Survey MasterMap (DNF) (GML2, read only), Vector Product Format (VPF, read only), Autodesk SDF, and Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS, read only). After working with the data, you can maintain it in a DWG™ file; export it to an external file or to an Oracle database.

To help make it easier for developers to extend capabilities of the FDO Data Access Technology, Autodesk released FDO Data Access Technology as an open source project under the Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo). This initiative enables developers all over the world to tap into powerful geospatial data access technology. By leveraging the power of FDO on the desktop, AutoCAD Map 3D makes it easy for you to connect to a world of data. AutoCAD Map 3D 2008 leverages the open source world enabling you to extend data access with new third-party and open source FDO Providers (e.g., OGR, GDAL) for data stores not currently supported Autodesk. (e.g., ESRI Personal Geodatabase).

AutoCAD Map 3D software’s cartography tools enable you to create maps that in the past had to be created with additional GIS specific software. Easily create stylized versions of your data to highlight specific features or information. Call out details with True Color and dynamic labeling. Build sophisticated thematic maps and blend data using transparency. Save styles and reuse them in any project saving time and streamlining map production. AutoCAD Map 3D 2008 allows you to move beyond basic maps to advanced cartography and presentations

Use AutoCAD Map 3D 2008 to create thematic maps and perform buffer and tracing analysis using powerful built in tools. Easily extend the properties of your data using ad-hoc joins to link to external tables and then theme your data on the joined properties to analyze and visualize your data as never before.

Use large-scale surface information such as digital elevation models (DEM), digital terrain elevation data (DTED), and ESRI GRID files. Analyze this data for elevation, slope, and aspect. Combine this data with aerial photographs and vector data, and use draping functionality to create stunning 3D renderings.

The data management tools in AutoCAD Map 3D 2008 allow you to easily and effectively manage your spatial data in virtually any format. Use intuitive tools to quickly and easily create users, define schemas (databases and files), or load data models via XML Metadata Interchange (XMI) from industry-standard modeling programs and copy/map data that resides in one datastore to another (e.g., SDF/SHP to Oracle). AutoCAD Map 3D 2008 acts as a hub for managing large amounts of spatial data, enabling you to unlock existing spatial information and streamline your workflow processes.

One of the strengths of AutoCAD Map 3D is multi-user editing capabilities, especially multi-user DWG file format editing. Using the software’s query functionality, multiple users can access and edit the same sets of files or base maps simultaneously. All functions remain available to all users throughout the process. This efficient and reliable way to share maps and data between users reduces the need for version control and minimizes time wasted waiting for data sets.

Organize objects in your drawing by the real-world features that they represent (e.g., parcels, valves or water pipes) using classification. When you create an object using object classification, the object automatically takes its properties and values from its object class, maintaining consistency and establishing standards in your drawing. By applying a classification to an existing or new object, you can be assured that it meets your standards for both data and display. With AutoCAD Map 3D 2008 you can easily organize and move data stored in DWG files to a geospatial data store (e.g., SDF, MySQL, Oracle) using Autodesk Geospatial FDO Data Access Technology.

Using drawing Cleanup tools in AutoCAD Map 3D software you can automate the often time-consuming correction of common spatial data errors. Delete duplicates, correct undershoots and dangling objects, and more, to help ease the integration of data into your GIS or mapping system.

AutoCAD Map 3D software enables you to automatically generate metadata about your spatial information and publish it in standard government formats (e.g., FGDC). This makes it easy for you to share your data with other people in your organization or publish externally for the world to consume.

Distribute your geospatial data, maps and designs in a variety of ways to meet your organizations needs. AutoCAD Map 3D is the quickest way to publish data to the web or intranet by providing seamless integration with Autodesk MapGuide® Enterprise and MapGuide Open Source software applications. For instance, create and design maps within AutoCAD Map 3D and publish them to the internet using Autodesk MapGuide software, or distribute them as paper plots, individual DWF™ files, or multisheet DWF Map Books. AutoCAD Map 3D helps ensure that customers and teams throughout the organization are using the latest information