Choose in GstarCAD from among a lot of dynamic Backgrounds Maps from providers such as Google Maps, OpenStreetMap, Bing, MapBox, Ordnance Survey, etc. or configure your own maps.

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 GstarCAD, which you will find in the “Spatial Manager” GstarCAD 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 dynamic ‘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.

Note: If you want the Map images to be displayed while running ZOOM or PAN (commands or mouse wheel), please set the value of the RTDISPLAY system variable to zero.

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 the “OK” button. Click another model if you want to change to this model.

Drawing view behavior when selecting a ‘Background Map’ and the “Zoom to the map” option:

• There are no entities in the drawing.
  • If the current view does not intersect the ‘Background Map’ extent or “Zoom to the map” has been selected, then the view fits to the ‘Background Map’ extent.
  • Otherwise the view does not change. For example, when you select a different ‘Background Map’ from the current one, since it is not usually interesting to lose the current view in the drawing.
• There are entities in the drawing.
  • “Zoom to the map” selected.
    • If the drawing extent intersects the ‘Background Map’ extent, then the view fits to the drawing extent (the same effect as GstarCAD “Zoom Extents”).
    • Otherwise the view fits to the ‘Background Map’ extent.
  • “Zoom to the map” not selected.
    • The view does not change. If the current view does not intersect the ‘Background Map’ extent, a warning alerts you that the selected ‘Background Map’ is located outside the current view and that you will not see it in the view.
• In any other case not covered above.
  • The view does not change.

Notes:

• The ‘Background Map’ extent is the bounding box defined in the corresponding Map Server and sometimes may be greater than the ‘Background Map’ geographic extent.
• If the drawing is not empty when ‘SPMBGMAPSHOW’ is executed, it is necessary that the drawing has been assigned a Coordinate Reference System (CRS). Learn how to georeference a drawing.
• If the drawing is empty and has no coordinate system assigned to it, when ‘SPMBGMAPSHOW’ is executed Spatial Manager™ for GstarCAD will assign the Background Map CRS to the drawing.
• The ‘Background Maps’ are only available when using projected Coordinate Reference Systems.
• If the drawing has any assigned CRS and the current view is outside the CRS valid area, when selecting a ‘Background Map’ a warning alerts you about this and that you will not see the ‘Background Map’ in the view.

“Bring map to front” option: When checked, the map will be overlapped to all the entities in the drawing (Foreground Map).

Notes:

• Bringing the ‘Background Map’ to front makes sense, and it is a very practical option, when it has any transparent area (learn more about Transparent ‘Background Maps’ support).
• If you add entities to the drawing after bringing the ‘Background Map’ to front (Foreground Map), those will overlap the ‘Foreground Map’. If you want to put the ‘Background Map’ back in the foreground, simply select it again and keep checked the option “Bring map to front”, or regen the ‘Background Map’ (‘SPMBGMAPREFRESH’).

Warning: Bringing the ‘Background Map’ to front can cause the entities in the drawing to be hidden (except in transparent areas of the ‘Background Map’, if any).

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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 GstarCAD, 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.