How to Insert an Online Map and Map Snapshot into AutoCAD

PDF download Download Article
Learn how to add a map to your AutoCAD project
PDF download Download Article

This wikiHow guide will teach you how to insert a map in AutoCAD on a Windows or Mac computer. We will also show you how to add an image to your AutoCAD drawing.

How to Add a Map to AutoCAD

To insert a map into AutoCAD, go to Insert > Set Location > From Map . You can then search for a location, set the coordinate system, and designate the north angle. Once you've done that, you can add a snapshot of the map by going to Geolocation > Online Map > Capture > Area .

Section 1 of 3:

How to Insert an Online Map

PDF download Download Article
  1. It's in the menu above the editing space with Home and Featured Apps.
  2. You'll see this is the last option in the menu in the "Location" group.
    • A menu will drop down. [1]
    Advertisement
  3. It's the first option in the drop-down menu and will open up a map that you can use to search for a location.
  4. Using the search bar at the top of the map window, enter the name of the location you want to include in your map (like "Penn University).
    • You can use the locations in the panel on the left to change the location. You can also click the view (it defaults to "Road") to change the map view to Road , Aerial , or Bird's eye .
  5. When you have the map situated as you want it, right-click on the map and a menu will appear at your cursor.
    • A red pin will appear on the map where you right-clicked.
  6. It's in the lower right corner of the window.
  7. Scroll through the list to see the options of coordinate systems you can choose from.
    • Choose a coordinate system with the same unit reference as your main project. For instance, if your project is set to "Meters," choose a coordinate system that lists "Meter" under the "Unit" heading.
    • Click the time zone and drawing unit drop-down menu if you want to change the time zone/drawing unit from the default.
  8. This will designate the first point that you marked on the map in your AutoCAD drawing.
    • When you click Next , the map will close so you can transfer it to your drawing space.
  9. Click on another space in AutoCAD according to the "North" angle that you want to designate in your project. [2]
    • The map will be added once you click to add the northerly direction.
    • Use the "Distance" command to measure the distance between two points. The command prompt is centered at the bottom of your screen and typing "Di" will pull up the correct command.
    10. Advertisement
Section 2 of 3:

How to Insert a Map Snapshot

PDF download Download Article
  1. After you've inserted an online map into AutoCAD, you can add a snapshot of the map to your drawing.
  2. The Area option has an icon of the Earth with two blue lines on it.
    • This option will only be available if the current view is plan view of the WCS. To change views, go to View > 3D Views > Plan View > World UCS . [3]
      • If you don't see this option, type plan into the command prompt and choose the "world" option.
  3. You can do this by choosing the two points to create the rectangular bounding box. The map snapshot will be added to your drawing over the online map. [4]
  4. Go to Geolocation > Online Map > Map > Map Off . [5]
    5. Advertisement
Section 3 of 3:

How to Insert an Image in AutoCAD

PDF download Download Article
  1. It's in the menu above the editing space with Home and Featured Apps.
  2. The Attach button has an icon of a document with a blue paperclip.
  3. After clicking Attach , AutoCAD will open a Select Image File dialog box, and it will give you three ways to choose an image:
    • Choose a file name from a list.
    • Browse to/enter the path of an image file in the File Name field.
    • Enter the URL of an image in the File Name field.
  4. AutoCAD will then open an Image dialog box, and it will give you two methods on how to insert the image you've specified:
    • Choose Specify On-Screen to insert the image at the location, scale , or angle you want using the mouse.
    • Clear Specify On-Screen and manually enter the Insertion Point, Scale, or Rotation value.
  5. The image will be inserted into your AutoCAD project. [6]
    6. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      5 Easy Ways to Get Around ChatGPT Security Filters
      5 Ways to Fix Logitech G HUB When It Won’t Open
      How to
      Avoid Being Banned on Soulseek: Tips & Fixes
      3 Simple Ways to Share Your Venmo Link
      How to
      Access Blocked Sites Without a VPN: School, Work, and Home
      Everything You Need to Know About Soap2Day: Safety & More
      Character AI: What It Is, Fixing Filters & Repeats, & More
      Starting Again on Tinder
      Steam Level Guide: How to Earn XP by Crafting Badges & More
      How to
      Log Into Ultipro
      Simple Ways to Make a GIF Your Wallpaper
      2 Easy Ways to Change a PSN Account Age on Desktop or Mobile
      How to
      Use AutoHotkey
      How to
      Download and Install Cinema HD on Fire Stick
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/UVJHDLCeRxk
      2. ↑ https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2018/ENU/AutoCAD-Core/files/GUID-4138A163-80D8-435B-B1FD-878E14FC8E9F-htm.html
      3. ↑ https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2024/ENU/?guid=GUID-6F03FF7D-A447-4AAD-A3C2-5F93E6A532FB
      4. ↑ https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACDLT/2019/ENU/?guid=GUID-EB3312D0-2E47-4E7A-B27A-A94356EA210F
      5. ↑ https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-add-snapshot-of-geographical-online-map-in-AutoCAD.html
      6. ↑ https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2025/ENU/?guid=GUID-18152523-0866-40EF-BC6D-8FAA1127BDD9

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Open your project in AutoCAD.
      2. Click the Insert tab.
      3. Click Set Location .
      4. Click From Map .
      5. Search for your location.
      6. Right-click and select Drop Marker Here .
      7. Click Next .
      8. Set the coordinate system.
      9. Click Next and click your AutoCAD drawing space.
      10. Designate the "North" direction.

      Did this summary help you?
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 47,778 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement