Spatial Manager Desktop™ - FAQs: Background Maps

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'
  • Reference for 'Background Maps'
  • Configure User 'Background Maps'
  • Use Spatial Manager™ 'Background Maps' side by side with the 'Online Maps' of AutoCAD
  • Some other tools such as "Refresh" or Regen and "Clean" the 'Background Map' under special conditions
  • Take "Snapshots" of the 'Background Maps'
  • Print drawings including 'Background Maps'

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 allowing you to select a model from the Maps list. You can find the list arranged using different Groups (Tabs) for the different preset Providers (OpenStreetMap, Mapbox, etc.) and the User groups (see how to Configure User 'Background Maps'). The image of the 'Background Map' is automatically adapted to the current drawing view and it will be automatically fitted when the drawing view changes (zoom, pan, etc.). Compatibility note: the 'Background Maps' are shown properly in the PLAN view of the WCS in the Model space, but the results in other views as well as in the Layouts are unpredictable

To change the image model map for the 'Background Map', you can execute again the 'SPMBGMAPSHOW' command. The "Background Map" window will display emphasized the current image map model, which you can keep by clicking in the "OK" button. Click in another model if you want to change to this model

"Background Map" list window

Background Map models list window. Note: some components in this window (providers, names, windows look, etc.) may be slightly different to those that will appear on your computer

Background Map sample

"Zoom to the map": This option changes automatically the drawing view to the 'Background Map' extent, defined in the map server

How can I hide the 'Background Map' in the drawing?

You can hide the 'Background Map' that is shown in the drawing by executing the 'SPMBGMAPHIDE' command of Spatial Manager™ for AutoCAD, which you will find in the "Spatial Manager" ribbon, toolbar or drop-down menu

If you want to display a 'Background Map', you need to execute the 'SPMBGMAPSHOW' command again

Need to have some reference in the drawing to use the 'Background Maps'?

If the drawing is not empty when 'SPMBGMAPSHOW' is executed, it is necessary that the drawing has been assigned a Coordinate Reference System (CRS) in order that the application "knows how-to" adjust the image of the 'Background Map'. If this is not the case, you can assign a CRS to the drawing (and modify it) using the command 'SPMSETCRS' of Spatial Manager™ for AutoCAD. By executing this command you will access the CRS catalog of the application where you can:

• Filter the CRSs by type (Geocentric, Projected, etc.). The type "Projected" will be selected by default because is the most common choice
• 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 any column of the table
• Note: To unassign (undefine) the Coordinate System of the drawing, choose "Undefined CRS" (EPSG 0)

If the drawing is empty when 'SPMBGMAPSHOW' is executed, Spatial Manager™ for AutoCAD will assign the generic "WGS84 / Pseudo-Mercator" (EPSG 3857) CRS to the drawing. This is an approximate projected CRS valid for most areas of the earth which lets you start a drawing with a 'Background Map' as a basic reference

• Notes:
  • The 'Background Maps' are only available when using projected Coordinate Reference Systems
  • Coordinate Systems objects available in the current version

CRS catalog of the application

Is there any special condition to use the 'Background Maps'?

Certain image maps providers included in Spatial Manager™ for AutoCAD may require special terms of use for the users of their maps. You can configure any special setting needed to load the maps of such providers through the 'Background Maps' selection window ('SPMBGMAPSHOW') or through the application Options ('SPMOPTIONS'). You can also configure and save settings the first time you try to use ('SPMBGMAPSHOW') a 'Background Map' that needs a special configuration

Configure 'Background Maps' through the selection window

Configure 'Background Maps' through the application Options

Note: some components in the above window (providers, names, windows look, etc.) may be slightly different to those that will appear on your computer

You can change the settings as often as desired. You can even insert blank values to reset the values of these settings

Sometimes, the image maps provider lets you access to some free maps but you need to get a key or code to use the others. In this case you will see "blocked" the maps which need that you modify the configuration according to the instructions above

Important note: Please, read also the specific license conditions in the paragraph relating to the 'Background Maps' of the application End User License Agreement (EULA)

Is there any way to "repair" or "clean" the image of the 'Background Map'?

There may be situations where the image of the 'Background Map' in the drawing shows up as broken, incomplete, etc. Most of these issues can be solved through a regeneration ('REGEN') of the drawing. However, some problems may appear which require you "to refresh" the image using the 'SPMBGMAPREFRESH' command of Spatial Manager™ for AutoCAD

In certain cases, the image tiles of the 'Background Map' become "orphans", the map is not shown, the frames of the tiles are displayed but these tiles cannot be deleted using AutoCAD commands. 'Spatial Manager™ for AutoCAD' includes the command 'SPMBGMAPIMAGEPURGE' that will delete them

In addition, this command will purge any non-referenced Raster Image in the drawing created using 'SPMBGIMAGE' (Snapshots; see below) and that have been deleted later by the user

Note that when running this command the 'Background Map' will be hidden (if shown) and the complete cleaning process may be time consuming depending on the number of objects in the drawing

Can I configure my own Web Map Services?

Yes, you can. Spatial Manager™ for AutoCAD includes the option to define "User Background Maps" in order to enable the access to more Mapping Services (TMS , WMTS or WMS)

Enter the parameters needed to define a new "User Background Map" through the option "Configure Background Maps" in the application Options ('SPMOPTIONS'), or through the "Configure User Maps" button in the Background Maps selection window ('SPMSPMBGMAPSHOW'). As you will see, you can also Edit or Delete any existing "User Background Map" through the same option

"Configure Background Maps" in the application Options

• TMS Type Maps (OSGeo Standard, only Pseudo-Mercator WGS84 and 256x256 tiles)
  • The Name of the Map
  • The Group (Tab) where you want to place the Map. If it comes to a new Group, it will be automatically created
  • The Type of the Map (TMS in this case)
  • The URL to access a specific valid Map in a valid Map Server. The URL must include the dynamic parameters specified in the application window
    • Authentication: To enter the login data to access the service, if needed

Configuring "TMS User Background Maps"

• WMS or WMTS Type Maps (OGC Standard, any Coordinate System and tile size)
  • The Name of the Map
    • The application will you propose a name for the Map based on the selected Layer(s) in the server (see below), but you can modify it if you want to
  • The Group (Tab) where you want to place the Map. If it comes to a new Group, it will be automatically created
  • The Type of the Map (WMS/WMTS in this case)
  • The URL to access a valid Map Server
    • Authentication: To enter the login data to access the service, if needed
    • The Layer(s) that you want to include in the 'Background Map'. Click in the "Get List of Layers" button and select the Layer(s) from the tree showing the complete Layers structure available in the Map Server
      • The Coordinate System (CRS) for the selected Layer(s). Choose an available CRS from the "Coordinate System" dropdown
      • The Image Format for the selected Layer(s). Choose an available Format from the "Image Format" dropdown
      • The Download method from the server: "Single image (recommended)" or "Image tiles grid" (WMS only)

Configuring "WMTS or WMS User Background Maps"

When configuring a User Map, clicking in the "Show Preview" button will display an image of the Map extension in order to help you verifying if all settings are correct. The "Preview" image will be automatically updated when you modify any configuration parameter

Notes about the WMS/WMTS 'Background Maps' performance:

• Whenever possible select the Coordinate System (CRS) assigned to the drawing in the 'Background Map' configuration
  • No CRS Transformation implies avoiding the deformation of the Map images while maintaining their original visual quality
• When configuring the "Download method" for a WMS 'Background Map', choose the default option "Single image (recommended)" whenever possible
  • The image quality is optimum
  • This choice will assure that not be shown texts or other elements repeated multiple times when they appear in more than one image tile
  • The alternative "Image tiles grid" should be used only when the "Single image" option becomes too slow
• Select any compressed image format (png, jpg, etc.) if available
  • The images will be smaller resulting in shorter download times
• See also "How can I improve the performance of the 'Background Maps' in AutoCAD?"

Is there any way to get static "Snapshots" of the 'Background Maps'?

Yes, Spatial Manager™ for AutoCAD includes the command 'SPMBGMAPIMAGE' that allows you to create (capture) an AutoCAD Raster Image corresponding to the display view of the current 'Background Map'

As you will see, you can choose between four levels of image quality for the new Raster Image, and the drawing must be saved so that the application "knows" a location where the new image can be stored

This command allows you many advanced graphic options when using 'Background Maps' as well as solving some Printing issues, which are discussed in the next paragraph

Is it necessary to have some special consideration when Printing or Plotting 'Background Maps'?

When Printing/Plotting from AutoCAD you have to be aware that the only way to be sure about the appropriate printed results will be by running the process from the Model Space and selecting "Display" as the "Plot area" (see the first image below). In other cases the results may not be correct and it would be necessary to apply the following workaround

To Print or Plot any other area of the Model Space, or do it from the Paper Space, or Publishing, etc., the use of the Raster Images captured as indicated in the previous article may be the best solution. In the case of Paper Space Viewports, note that these Raster Images are AutoCAD objects which will allow you to "play" with different possibilities depending on the Layer where they are included and how this Layer is configured in the different Viewports (see the second image below)

How can I improve the performance of the 'Background Maps' in AutoCAD?

If you find bugs or decreases in the performance of Spatial Manager™ for AutoCAD when showing 'Background Maps', you can try to turn off the AutoCAD 'Hardware Acceleration'. This setting may be essential when your system incorporates some specific graphic cards

'Hardware Acceleration' switch in AutoCAD 2016. This setting may be different in other AutoCAD versions

Can I use the 'Background Maps' and the 'Online Maps' of AutoCAD?

AutoCAD includes the option to display 'Online Maps' (from 2014 version), in a similar way to Spatial Manager™ for AutoCAD when showing 'Background Maps'. The technologies used in both cases are slightly different. The Spatial Manager™ for AutoCAD 'Background Maps' can be selected from many more map providers and the application of these Maps in the drawings will be easier to use for most basic and medium users. Using the 'Background Maps' of Spatial Manager™ for AutoCAD will not prevent you from also working with the AutoCAD 'Online Maps'. Use one or the other, whichever you prefer at any given time

AutoCAD includes a Ribbon Tab named 'Geolocation' to control the 'Online Maps', as well as any other available AutoCAD Geographic tool

This Tab is automatically loaded and displayed every time you access a Geographic command in a contextual mode (quite annoying behavior, indeed). When you install Spatial Manager™ for AutoCAD this feature is disabled by default, but you can:

• Open the Tab only when you need it through the right-click menu of the AutoCAD Ribbon:

• Or, restore the AutoCAD default behavior in the Spatial Manager™ for AutoCAD Options (Exit/Enter AutoCAD to take effect):

Related links

• Base maps as Map backgrounds

• Go to FAQS