How to convert Shapefile (SHP) to DWG
A shapefile is a set of files, carries a coordinate reference system and holds attributes as well as geometry — so this is a GIS-to-CAD translation, not a format swap. Getting the projection right matters more than the export itself.
Why there is no uploader on this page
SHP is a closed format that no browser can read, so an in-page converter would have to send your file to a server. The procedure below does the job properly in the application that owns the format — and where a browser-side route exists, it is linked underneath.
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Passo a passo
- 1Collect the whole set: .shp, .shx, .dbf and ideally .prj. Without the .prj you are guessing the coordinate system.
- 2QGIS (free): add the layer, set the project CRS to your CAD grid, then Project → Import/Export → Export Project to DXF, and open that DXF in AutoCAD to save as DWG.
- 3Civil 3D or AutoCAD Map: MAPIMPORT reads SHP directly and can map attribute fields to object data or block attributes.
- 4Decide how attributes should arrive — as object data, as block attributes, or as text labels — before exporting; retrofitting them later is painful.
- 5Check coordinates against a known site point: large easting/northing values can also trip AutoCAD's precision if you do not move the drawing to a local origin.
Pontos de atenção
- QGIS exports DXF, not DWG; the extra save-as step in CAD is normal.
- Curves in GIS data are stored as dense vertex strings, so expect polylines rather than arcs.
- Layer names come from the GIS layer or an attribute field you nominate — set this up once per project.
The GIS workhorse: a set of files (.shp/.shx/.dbf/.prj) holding vector features plus attributes and a coordinate system.
AutoCAD's native binary drawing format. Closed and version-specific, so it needs AutoCAD or a licensed library to read.
Perguntas de projetistas
Can I convert SHP to DWG for free?
Yes: QGIS to DXF, then DXF to DWG in any free CAD viewer/editor that saves DWG, or keep working in DXF.
Why is my drawing miles from the origin?
The shapefile is in real-world projected coordinates. Either keep it geo-referenced deliberately, or move a copy to a local origin for drafting.
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