SPM for AutoCAD > Features > Background maps > Base Maps to design

Base Maps to design in AutoCAD

It is also possible to set Background Maps in empty drawings in order to have a cartographic base when starting a new piece of work or project even without defining a specific Coordinate Reference System

* Editions: Standard Professional

Related features

Easy Map control<span style='font-size: 1rem;'> - <a href='../easy-map-control/' class='app_color_link'><span>More info</span><i class='icon-chevron-right ml-1'></i></a></span>

Easy Map control

Use the tabs in the Background Maps window to display a specific Map Provider Group, where the selection boxes show a preview image of the available Maps in this Group. Quickly show and hide any Map. Regenerate tools

User Maps<span style='font-size: 1rem;'> - <a href='../user-maps/' class='app_color_link'><span>More info</span><i class='icon-chevron-right ml-1'></i></a></span>

User Maps

Configure new Groups and new Maps by entering a minimum of data. There are also tools to edit the Maps configuration data or delete them from the list

Snapshots<span style='font-size: 1rem;'> - <a href='../snapshots/' class='app_color_link'><span>More info</span><i class='icon-chevron-right ml-1'></i></a></span>

Snapshots

Get static AutoCAD raster images from the Maps. Up to four levels of image resolution. Provides interesting solutions to define different maps for different Viewports and/or Views, as an advanced Printing or Publishing tool, to combine Maps or to clip the Maps

Background map update while drawing<span style='font-size: 1rem;'> - <a href='../background-map-update-while-drawing/' class='app_color_link'><span>More info</span><i class='icon-chevron-right ml-1'></i></a></span>

Background map update while drawing

The background map is automatically updated when changing view even when there are active drawing commands (line, polyline, ...), which will make digitizing tasks on the map much easier

Multiple simultaneous background maps<span style='font-size: 1rem;'> - <a href='../multiple-simultaneous-background-maps/' class='app_color_link'><span>More info</span><i class='icon-chevron-right ml-1'></i></a></span>

Multiple simultaneous background maps New V9

You can display several background maps simultaneously, set the priority of each of them and activate/deactivate them independently

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frequently asked questions

Current compatible AutoCAD applications:
  • AutoCAD, AutoCAD Map 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D and AutoCAD Architecture (Windows Only)
  • Versions: From v.2013 to v.2025 both included
Note: AutoCAD LT is not a compatible application because of its intrinsic limitations but you can use Spatial Manager Desktop™ to import/export via DXF files
System requirements:
  • Windows 7 or higher
  • 500 MB free disk space, or more
  • Windows Installer 3.1 or later
Spatial files
  • Esri Shape file - (SHP)
  • Google Earth file - (KML, KMZ)
  • OpenStreetMap file - (OSM, PBF, OSC) (1)
  • LiDAR file - (LAS, LAZ)
  • GPS exchange format file - (GPX)
  • Esri ASCII Grid file - (ASC, ASCII) (1)
  • ASCII text file - (ASC, CSV, NEZ, TXT, XYZ, UPT)
  • SQLite file - (SQLITE, DB)
  • GeoPackage file - (GPKG) (1)
  • GML file - (GML, GZ, XML)
  • Raster image file - (TIF, PNG, JPG, JPEG, TIFF) (1)
  • Autodesk SDF file - (SDF) (3)
  • MicroStation v.7 file - (DGN) (2)
  • AutoCAD DXF file - (DXF) (2)
  • Esri ArcInfo export file (ASCII) - (E00) (1) (2)
  • MapInfo file - (TAB) (2)
  • MapInfo interchange format file - (MIF/MID) (2)
  • GeoJSON file - (GEO.JSON)

Spatial raster files
  • Raster image file - (TIF, PNG, JPG, JPEG, TIFF) (1)
    • Georeference sources - (World files, Google Earth .GEPRINT, etc.)
  • Variable resolution Raster image file - (Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF/COG TIFF) (1) (4)

Spatial data servers and Geo-databases
  • Esri Geodatabase File - (GDB) (1)
  • PostGIS database
  • Microsoft SQL Server Spatial database
  • MySQL database (1) (3)

Image map servers
  • WMS Web Map Services (4)
  • WMTS Web Map Tile Services (4)
  • XYZ/TMS Tile Map Services (4)

Other spatial data sources
  • Open Database Connectivity ODBC (1)
  • WFS data store (1)
  • WFS data store (FDO) (1) (3) (6)
  • WFS data store (OGR) (1) (2) (5) (6)

(1) Read-only
(2) OGR data source
(3) FDO provider
(4) Background Maps technology
(5) OGR for WFS data stores will not be found in the data Provider list under some circumstances (certain AutoCAD Map versions and others). Please, use the native or FDO variants for this data Provider
(6) DEPRECATED - Whenever possible use the native WFS data provider

Note: certain data Providers are only valid for some Editions of the application
  • We process a personalized analysis of each case, so some types of advanced licenses are not offered directly on the web store. Please contact to support@spatialmanager.com indicating your needs and we will send you a customized quote