Spatial Manager™ for AutoCAD - FAQs: Background Maps ("Standard" and "Professional" editions only)

Introduction

• Objective of this section
  • To learn how to show image Maps in the Background of the drawings, which can enhance their quality as well as make them more understandable

• Topics in this section
  • Select Background Maps models
  • Show / Hide Background Maps
  • Some other tools as "Refresh" or Regen the Background Map under special conditions

How can I display a Background Map in the drawing?

You can select an image map model to show as Background Map in the drawing by executing the 'SPMBGMAPSHOW' command of Spatial Manager™ for AutoCAD, which you will find in the "Spatial Manager" AutoCAD ribbon. This will open the "Background Map" window to let you select a model from the Maps list. You can find the list arranged using different Tabs for the different Provider (OpenStreetMap, Mapbox, etc.)

'SPMBGMAPSHOW' command in the "Spatial Manager" AutoCAD ribbon

"Background Map" list window

Background Map list window

Background Map applied in a sample drawing

Background Map sample

The image of the Background Map is automatically adapted to the drawing view and it is automatically fitted when the drawing view changes (zoom, pan, etc.)

If the drawing is not empty, it is necessary that the drawing has been assigned a Coordinate Reference System (CRS) in order to adjust the image of the Background Map. You can assign a CRS to the drawing, or modify it, using the command 'SPMSETCRS'. By executing this command you will access the CRS catalog of the application where you can:

• Filter the CRSs by type (Geocentric, Projected, etc.)
• Choose a CRS by clicking on its row in the table
• Search CRSs by typing the search criteria in the "Search" box. You can type here as many words as you like separated by blanks. The application will find all the rows including all these words in a column of the table

'SPMSETCRS' command in the "Spatial Manager" AutoCAD ribbon

CRS catalog of the application

CRS catalog of the application