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'
- Reference for 'Background Maps'
- Configure User 'Background Maps'
- Some other tools such 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 Groups (Tabs) for the different Providers (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.)
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 on the "OK" button. Click on another model if you want to change to this model
'SPMBGMAPSHOW' command in the Spatial Manager™ for BricsCAD interface
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' applied in a sample drawing
Background Map sample
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 BricsCAD, which you will find in the "Spatial Manager" ribbon, toolbar or drop-down menu
If you want to display the 'Background Map' again, you need to execute the 'SPMBGMAPSHOW' command again
'SPMBGMAPHIDE' command in the Spatial Manager™ for BricsCAD interface
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 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.). 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 a column of the table
If the drawing is empty when 'SPMBGMAPSHOW' is executed, Spatial Manager™ for BricsCAD 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
- Note: Coordinate Systems objects available in the current version
'SPMSETCRS' command in the Spatial Manager™ for BricsCAD interface
CRS catalog of the application
Is there any special condition to use the 'Background Maps'?
Certain image maps providers included in Spatial Manager™ for BricsCAD may require special terms of use for the users of their maps. You can configure and save any special setting needed to load the maps of such providers through the application Options ('SPMOPTIONS'). You can change the settings as often as desired. You can even insert blank values to reset the values of these settings
'Background Maps' particular settings window
'Background Maps' Options window. Note: some components in this window (providers, names, windows look, etc.) may be slightly different to those that will appear on your computer
You can also configure and save settings the first time you try to use ('SPMBGMAPSHOW') a 'Background Map' that needs a special configuration
'Background Maps' particular settings window
Note: some components in this window (providers, names, windows look, etc.) may be slightly different to those that will appear on your computer
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 in the application Options ('SPMOPTIONS') to work
Is there any way "to repair" 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 BricsCAD
'SPMBGMAPREFRESH' command in the Spatial Manager™ for BricsCAD interface
Can I configure my own Web Map Services?
Yes, you can. Spatial Manager™ for BricsCAD includes the option to define "User Background Maps" in order to enable the access to more Web Mapping Tiled Services (WMTS)
Enter the parameters needed to define a new "User Background Map" through the option "Configure Background Maps" in the application Options (SPMOPTIONS)
- 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 URL to access the Map. The URL must include the dynamic parameters specified in the application window
As you can see, you will also edit or delete any defined "User Background Map" through this option
Configuring "User Background Maps"
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