Documentation

Supported Vector Formats

A guide to the vector file formats supported by SkyGIS — from CAD drawings to GIS standards and BIM models.

CAD-Based Formats

DWG (AutoCAD Drawing)

The native format of AutoCAD and one of the most widely used CAD formats in the world. DWG files contain 2D and 3D geometry, layers, annotations, and metadata. SkyGIS imports DWG files and renders them as interactive vector overlays on point cloud data.

Available from: Core plan and above
Common use: Architectural plans, engineering designs, site layouts

DXF (Drawing Exchange Format)

An open interchange format originally developed by Autodesk. DXF files are widely supported across CAD and GIS applications and contain the same types of geometry as DWG, in a more portable format.

Available from: Lite plan (all plans)
Common use: Cross-platform CAD exchange, survey exports

DGN (MicroStation Design)

The native format of Bentley MicroStation, commonly used in infrastructure and transportation projects. DGN files support complex 3D geometry, cell libraries, and reference files.

Available from: Enterprise plan
Common use: Road and rail design, utility mapping, large-scale infrastructure

Coming soon — DGN support is currently in development.

GIS Formats

SHP (Shapefile)

The de facto standard for GIS vector data, developed by Esri. Shapefiles store geometry (points, lines, polygons) and attributes in a set of related files (.shp, .shx, .dbf). SkyGIS reads shapefiles and displays them as interactive map layers.

Available from: Lite plan (all plans)
Common use: Cadastral data, land use mapping, environmental boundaries

GeoJSON

A lightweight, text-based format for encoding geographic features using JSON. GeoJSON is widely used in web mapping applications and APIs. It supports points, lines, polygons, and multi-part geometries with properties.

Available from: Core plan and above
Common use: Web mapping, API data exchange, lightweight GIS workflows

Model & BIM Formats

IFC (Industry Foundation Classes)

An open standard for Building Information Modeling (BIM) data. IFC files describe building elements (walls, doors, slabs) with full semantic information. SkyGIS renders IFC geometry alongside point clouds for design verification and clash detection.

Available from: Plus plan and above
Common use: BIM coordination, design-to-reality comparison, construction verification

LandXML

An XML-based format for civil engineering and land surveying data. LandXML files typically contain surface models, alignments, parcels, and pipe networks. Used extensively in road design and earthworks.

Available from: Plus plan and above
Common use: Road design, earthworks, site grading, corridor modeling

CityGML

An open standard for representing 3D city models with semantic information. CityGML supports multiple levels of detail (LOD) for buildings, terrain, vegetation, and infrastructure.

Available from: Enterprise plan
Common use: Urban planning, smart city applications, 3D cadastre

Coming soon — CityGML support is currently in development.

NWD (Navisworks Document)

A read-only format from Autodesk Navisworks used for project review and coordination. NWD files contain aggregated 3D models with viewpoints, annotations, and clash results.

Available from: Enterprise plan
Common use: Construction coordination, design review, project handover

Coming soon — NWD support is currently in development.

Format Availability by Plan

Lite: DXF, SHP · Core: + DWG, GeoJSON · Plus: + LandXML, IFC · Enterprise: + DGN*, CityGML*, NWD* (* Coming Soon)

Refer to the pricing page for the complete feature comparison across all plans.