Spatial Manager™ for BricsCAD - 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 BricsCAD, which you will find in the "Spatial Manager" ribbon, toolbar or drop-down menu. 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.). 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.)
'SPMBGMAPSHOW' command in the Spatial Manager™ for BricsCAD interface
Background Map models list window
Background Map applied in a sample drawing
Background Map sample
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" adjust the image of the Background Map. If this is not the case, you can assign a CRS to the drawing (as modify it) using the command 'SPMSETCRS' of Spatial Manager™ for BricsCAD. 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
If the drawing is empty when 'SPMBGMAPSHOW' is executed, the application will assign the generic "WGS84 / Pseudo-Mercator" (EPSG 3857) CRS to the drawing. This is an approximative projected CRS valid for the most areas of the earth which lets you start a drawing with a Background Map as a basic reference
'SPMSETCRS' command in the Spatial Manager™ for BricsCAD interface
CRS catalog of the application
CRS catalog of the application
Is there any special condition to use the Background Maps?
Some image maps providers may require special terms of use to the users of their maps. You can configure any special setting needed to load the maps of such providers through the application Options ('SPMOPTIONS')
Background Maps Options window
Background Maps Options window