I've been asked this question a number of times: Can AutoCAD blocks be transformed into ESRI ArcGIS markers and saved in an ESRI style document?
The answer is yes, sort of. It depends on the application and how loosely you define the word 'convert'. Another person might use the word re-create instead. Just to clarify, this guide only applied to point features in ArcGIS, you can search my other posts for a guide on how to convert AutoCAD blocks into polygons or lines in Arc.
There are two methods I currently use to convert from CAD blocks to GIS markers (points):
Method # 1: Saving as a .bmp (windows bitmap)
This method is only useful if you do not ever need to scale the marker to a size larger or smaller than how you create it. If you do need to scale it, but only to one or two other sizes, you can just repeat this process for two additional symbols.
To begin, you need to export the file you want from AutoCAD to a bitmap document. There are a variety of ways to do this, you can read about it elsewhere in my blog. Or elsewhere on the internet for that matter.
Once this is done, you can import the marker to your ESRI ARcGIS styles manager. There is a guide to use your styles manager also in this blog. However, the quick solution is to go to TOOLS>STYLES>STYLE MANAGER is ArcGIS. In there, go to the style file that you are using (either your user name, ESRI, or another file you have created - this is recommended). In this ESRI ArcMap style file, you need to select 'marker symbols'>right click on the right pane> new...
Then select picture marker symbol> select the bmp you exported from AutoCAD and voila. You are done. The reason I say not to scale is more of a guideline than a rule. ArcGIS is terrible at scaling images (think MS Paint, but worse). A scaled symbol from a bitmap will look completely wrong. So, as I mentioned earlier, if you want to import a CAD to ArcGIS symbol into bmp, make one for each point size you would like for the marker.
If you DO need to scale your marker, then a much more complicated methodology is required...
Method # 2: Creating an ArcGIS marker from a custom TTF (True Type Font)... SEE PART 2
