for ZWCAD

Overview
Features
Editions
Technical resources
Requirements
Assemblies

Spatial Manager™ for ZWCAD

Overview

In a nutshell

Import into ZWCAD from Google Earth (KML or KMZ), OpenStreetMap (OSM or PBF), Shapefiles (SHP), GPS, Points (many formats), Excel, Access, ESRI ArcInfo®, MapInfo, GML (GML or GZ), PostGIS, SQL Server, SQLite, and many more geospatial sources
Export from ZWCAD to Google Earth (KML or KMZ), Shapefiles (SHP), Points (many formats), MapInfo, PostGIS, SQL Server, SQLite, and many more geospatial targets
Transformation of coordinates optional
Backgrounds Maps, powerful and easy to use
Search Locations
Terrain functions including 3D points from elevation services, DTM meshes, contours, etc.
Publishing to Google Earth
Alphanumeric data tables as ZWCAD Extended Entity Data (EED/XDATA). Manage data tables and fields. Data viewer and editor included
Save Tasks to replay the import processes so many times as desired
Interface simple, intuitive and productive
Perpetual licenses. Pay once, no periodic fees

Introduction

Spatial Manager™ for ZWCAD is a powerful ZWCAD plug-in designed for ZWCAD users who need to import, export and manage spatial data in a simple, fast and inexpensive way, which includes many possibilities not seen so far in ZWCAD.

It comes in a lightweight application that runs inside ZWCAD and allows the user to import and export geospatial data between ZWCAD drawings and geospatial files, data servers or data stores, display background maps and manage alphanumeric data and data tables.

Related wiki information...

ZWCAD import

Spatial Manager™ for ZWCAD imports spatial data, into new or existing ZWCAD drawings, as ZWCAD entities and Extended Entity Data (EED), using a powerful wizard which lets the user choose or select all the necessary import parameters in order to get differentiated spatial information in a CAD drawing.

Batch-import, automatic layering, fill of polygons, blocks according data values and mapped attributes, labeling, elevation, thickness or the spatial filter are only part of the application functionality when importing from spatial files, data servers, data stores, etc.

There are some advanced and powerful techniques to speed up the import processes, such as Import-all sources from a folder, database schema or multi-table file and others.

The "Tasks" save all the import processes parameters and options in order to repeat these processes so many times as desired. It is possible to execute one or more "Tasks" at once.

ZWCAD export

Spatial Manager™ for ZWCAD exports entities from the drawing to spatial files or databases, and saves their Extended Entity Data (EED) as alphanumeric data tables using a wizard, which shares some of the steps with the import wizard. In the same way, the user can choose or select the export parameters to define all the target data among a great number of possibilities.

There are options to export the Coordinates, Length or Area, the entities Layer, Handle and Elevation, the Attributes and the name of the Block references and their properties, the Texts and their properties, the Hatches and their properties, etc. The entities will be automatically filtered when exporting, and all the geometric operations needed to fit the target data format (such as segmenting curved entities) are automatically performed.

Transformation of coordinates

Spatial Manager™ for ZWCAD will calculate geometric transformations of the features in line with the import and export processes, which will depend on the chosen Coordinate System (CRS) for the source and target data.

The user can choose the appropriate CRSs from a complete CRS catalog or from a list which includes the most recent used CRSs.

Related wiki information...

Background Maps

Spatial Manager™ for ZWCAD allows to the ZWCAD users (from v.13), choose from among many Backgrounds Maps from many providers such as OpenStreetMap, Bing, MapBox, Ordnance Survey, etc. These maps will enhance the drawings quality and will let the users compare and check better.

The map images are automatically updated when the drawing view changes (zoom, pan, etc.) and the images resolution is automatically adapted to the view size. The user can define its own BG Maps in order to access WMTS/WMS/TMS map servers, import/export them and take static Snapshots of the Maps.

Search Locations

Spatial Manager™ for ZWCAD include functions to geo-locate in your drawing postal addresses, streets, neighborhoods or other geographical objects.

It allows you to access a text search window of locations and automatically zoom in or insert the geometry of the selected location or rectangular envelope.

Terrains

Spatial Manager™ for ZWCAD allows you to create and manage Terrains and related entities.

3D Points / Blocks selected in drawing or built from Elevation service providers in any selected area.

2D or 3D Contours. Minor and major Contours. Contour labels. Layer separation and different color models. Contours attached to Data Tables including elevation values and type.

3D Terrain models, using 3D Meshes or other CAD/BIM entities. Automatic image projection and fitting of any Background Map (preset or user-configured) on one or more Terrains in their actual location.

Publishing to Google Earth

Spatial Manager™ for ZWCAD includes a specific command designed to Export all or part of the entities in the visible Layers of the drawing and their data, to a KML or KMZ file (Google Earth) through a one-click operation.

The current Layers organization and the properties of the Layers and entities are considered when creating the resulting GE file, and this file can be opened in Google Earth (if installed).

Data structure management and direct data edition

Spatial Manager™ for ZWCAD will manage the alphanumeric data which may come linked to the entities in the import processes themselves but the users can also design and edit the structure which will be used to store the data. They can manage the tables and the fields according to their needs.

In addition, the data values can be modified in the palette of the application or through the powerful interactive Data grid, and there are two commands to select entities by Queries or according to the table that they are attached. As a plus, the application also provides a command that allows Zooming to the selected entities.

User data sources

Spatial Manager™ for ZWCAD incorporates the UDS technology to easily connect with spatial database servers, or data stores, and also as the way the user can define the path to a particular spatial data file, including their own connection parameters.

UDSs avoid having to enter a lot of connection parameters, which are not easy to remember, and they are stored inside the user settings to take advantage of them in every application session.

Spatial Manager™ for ZWCAD

Features

General

Import/export spatial data into/from ZWCAD drawings

Import or export spatial data between files, data servers or other spatial data sources, and entities in new or existing ZWCAD drawings. Use Extended Entity Data (EED) to load or save spatial alphanumeric data tables. The import and the export wizards lead the user to select all needed parameters and many interesting options

Transformation of coordinates when importing or exporting

Geometric transformations of the features in line with the import and export processes. Coordinate reference system (CRS) of the source and target. Complete CRS catalog. The catalog and the drop down lists include the most recent used CRSs

Background Maps

Choose from among many Backgrounds Maps from many providers such as OpenStreetMap, Bing, MapBox, Ordnance Survey, etc., or user-defined maps. They enhance the drawings quality and allow the user compare and check better

Search Locations

Access to Internet geo location services through the text search window and automatically zoom in or insert the geometry of the selected location

Watch this video…

Terrains

Advanced terrain technology that includes an intuitive interface to create terrains and other related entities: 3D Points (drawing or elevation Internet services), Contours, 3D Terrain models, etc.

Watch this video…

Extended Entity Data (EED) viewer palette

When selecting entities in the drawing, their EEDs will be shown in the "Properties" area of the application palette. The values can be edited directly in the palette and can include hyperlinks

Managing the data structure

Design and edit the structure which will be used to store the data attached to the entities. Manage the tables and the fields according to the needs. New tools available to attach, detach and select data

Import processes

Entities imported into a new or open drawing

Import processes can be performed in the current ZWCAD drawing or in new drawings. The application opens new drawings automatically if needed

Basic target layer or new target layers using a field value

Define a common target layer or select a field from the incoming data source to take its values as the target layer for each new imported entity

Use blocks for points and centroids

Choose between ZWCAD Points or Block References when importing point features or centroid of polygon features. When using Blocks, you can select a field to choose the Block References names to insert and "map" fields from the incoming data to Attributes included inside the Block definition

Block insertion parameters from field values

Also use fields from the incoming data to define Block insertion parameters, such as the scale and the rotation of the Block

Polygon fills and transparencies

Fill polygon areas using ZWCAD Hatches and define the options for the Hatches such as pattern, angle and scale. Apply transparencies to the Hatches

Polygon centroids

Draw optional centroids when importing polygon features using ZWCAD Points or Block References

Labeling entities while importing

Choose a data field to label any entity: point type, linear type or polygonal type (centroid). Smart text location for the linear type entities. The properties for the new texts (rotation, height, etc.) can be taken from other data fields

Spatial filter

Import only the entities in the current view

Elevation and thickness from field values

Take field values from incoming data to set the elevation and/or thickness for the new entities

Import data from tables as Extended Entity Data (EED)

Import Features data as Entities Extended Entity Data (EED) to get more "intelligent" ZWCAD drawings

Speed up the processes skipping some wizard steps

Skip unnecessary steps for a particular job and go directly to the execution of the import process, to follow all the guidelines set by the import wizard

Use the intuitive palette options or the quick import function

Use the right-click menu on a particular data source to import from this source, or run the import command that avoids having to open the application palette if you do not want it

Batch Import

Import all the files from a folder in one go. If needed, separate the content of each file in different Layers

Import Tasks

The Tasks allow to repeat any import process so many times as desired without needing to enter its parameters again. Manage and execute Tasks in the application palette

Export processes

Entities exported to geospatial files or servers

From the current drawing to new or existing tables in files or schemas inside files or databases

Select the entities to be exported

Choose between exporting the selected entities, the entities in a layer or the whole drawing

Option to treat the closed polylines as polygons

Most of the time the closed polylines represent polygonal elements on the target data format and this conversion can be automatic

Options for entities geometry data

Export the coordinates X/Y/Z, the Length, the Area and the Elevation in new fields of the data tables

Z-Coordinate and Elevation

The Z-coordinate is exported in all the cases. If not available, the entity Elevation is exported as the Z-coordinate

Options for entities properties

Export the Handle and the Layer of the entities in new fields of the data tables

Options for Block references

Option to export the Name, Rotation, Scales and the Attributes of the Block references in new fields of the data tables. The names of the fields and the Attributes will match

Options for Texts

Export the Text entities and their basic properties (Rotation and Height)

Options for Hatches

Export the Hatch entities and their properties (Name, Angle, Scale, etc.)

Automatic complex geometric operations

Review and editing of the selected entities in order to export geometries accommodated in the target format, such as the polygonal segmentation on curves if required

Filtering of incompatible entities

There are a few entity types not supported by the export processes (such as complex 3D entities), which are automatically filtered. The filter result is displayed before exporting

Opening help

Upon completion of any export process to a file, the file location can be opened directly. When exporting to a KML or KMZ file it can be chosen to open the file in Google Earth (if installed)

Data sources

Manage your own shortcuts

Reference any folder in a physical or net drive and save this reference in the user configuration to quickly access the folder. Edit, remove or sort the shortcuts in the data sources palette

Access to spatial data files (SHP, GPX, KML, OSM, GML, etc.) (show full list)

Import/export from/to spatial data tables by accessing a lot of spatial data file types or folders or schemas inside complex spatial files

Manage your User Data Sources

Use UDS technology in the application to easily connect with spatial database servers, or data stores, or to define the path to spatial data files including their own connection parameters. Edit, remove or sort the UDSs in the data sources palette

Access to spatial database servers (SQL Server, PostGIS, etc.) (show full list)

Use UDSs to access tables and import or export them, by accessing a lot of spatial data servers, including simple or complex internal structures

Access to other connections (WFS, ODBC, etc.) (show full list)

Also use UDSs to access special spatial information connections, such as WFS stores or ODBC

Manage schemas and tables

Create, delete and rename schemas. Delete and rename tables.

Transformation of coordinates

Unified CRS system

Use the same tools (the CRS Catalog essentially) to assign the Coordinate Reference System to a drawing or to define the CRSs to the source and the target when performing the import / export processes

Smart Transformations

The application helps when entering any configuration setting. For example, if you are importing from Google Earth (KML), the source CRS is automatically set to WGS84 and the target CRS can be set to a standard projected CRS

Updated Coordinate Systems objects list

The objects list includes more than 14000 Projections, Ellipsoids, Coordinate Systems, Coordinate Transformations, etc. for all the areas and geographic segmentations of the Earth. This list is often extended, revised and updated. The Catalog includes a set of practical tools to filter, search or group the most recent used CRSs

Background Maps

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

Base Maps to design

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

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. Import - Export user BG Maps in order to share them

Snapshots

Get static ZWCAD 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

Search Locations

Advanced search

Once you enter the search text and click “Search”, the result(s) returned by Internet search services will appear in the window and include the location Full Name, Type, Geometry type, and the Location service source. You can sort the result rows according to different window columns

Location and geometries

Select any result row and you will be able to Zoom to the location, Insert the Geometry in your drawing, Points, Polylines, Polygons, etc., depending on the geometry type, and zoom to the Geometry, or Insert the geometry Envelope rectangle, and zoom to the Envelope

Choose “Fill areas using Hatches” in order to add a Hatch when inserting Polygonal geometries or rectangular Envelopes

Persistent window

Note that the ‘Search Location’ window remains open until you close it so that you can repeat the actions with the results you want. In fact, you can navigate through the drawing, edit the drawing, etc. while the window is still on screen

Terrains

3D Points

Use Points or Blocks selected in the drawing or built from Elevation service providers in any selected area

2D or 3D Contours

Create minor and major Contours, label Contour altitudes, separate in different Layers and different color models. Optional attached Data Tables will include Contour elevation values and types

Watch this video…

3D Terrains

3D models generation using 3D Meshes or other CAD/BIM objects from the selected 3D entities

Publishing to Google Earth

Quick creation and use

Regardless of the advanced Export capabilities of the application the user can find a specific tool to Export all or part of the objects in the visible Layers of the drawing and their data, to a KML or KMZ file (Google Earth) through a one-click operation. In addition, it is possible to open the file directly in Google Earth (if installed)

"Clone" the drawing

The process will consider the current Layers organization and the properties of the Layers and objects. The elements in the KML/KMZ file will assume the colors, weights, etc. of the objects in the drawing. A subdivision based on the types of the objects in the Layers will be also created for each Layer

Alphanumeric data

Data structure

The data Tables can be automatically created and structured when importing elements from any data sources, but the application includes all the tools that the users need to create new Tables and edit or delete existing Tables. When a Table is modified or deleted, all the entities attached to the Table will be automatically updated. Create, edit or delete Fields in any existing table. You can assign a default value to any Field and select the type of data for the Field (Text, Integer, Date, etc.). As happens with the tables, if any alteration occurs in the Fields of a table, the application will automatically update all the attached entities

Entities management

Automatic or manual Attachment of Entities to data tables, view and edit directly the field Values individually or for a selection of Entities, Detachment of Entities and Entities Selections based on a specific attached table. Direct access to Hyperlink fields from the application Palette

Data grid

Interactive and synchronized palette where you can view, edit, etc. the entities data in any table in the drawing. You can also select entities from the 'Data Grid', export the data from the tables and many more

Watch this video…

Queries

Selecting entities in drawings by simple or compound queries. Complete queries or query to the current selection and add the result to the current selection. Selections based on a specific attached table. Zoom into the selected entities

Spatial Manager™ for ZWCAD

Editions

Basic Edition

Standard Edition

Professional Edition

General

Import spatial data in ZWCAD drawings

Transformation of coordinates

Background Maps

Extended Entity Data (EED) viewer and editor

Use hyperlinks in data

Queries and Alphanumeric data structure management

Export spatial data from ZWCAD drawings

Search Locations

Terrains

Import processes

Entities imported into a new or open drawing

Basic target layer or new target layers using a field value

Use field based blocks for points and centroids

Block insertion parameters from field values

Polygon fills and transparencies

Polygon centroids

Labeling entities while importing

Spatial filter

Elevation and thickness from field values

Tools for speed up the processes

Quick import function

Batch Import

Import data from tables as Extended Entity Data (EED)

Import tasks

Export processes

Objects exported to geospatial files or servers

Select the objects to be exported

Option to treat the closed polylines as polygons

Options to export the Handle and the Layer

Option to export the Blocks, properties and Attributes

Options to export Text entities and their properties

Automatic complex geometric operations

Filtering of incompatible objects

Options to export the Length, Area and Elevation

Options to export the Coordinates X/Y/Z

Options to export the Hatch objects and their properties

Data sources

Manage your own shortcuts

Access files (SHP, GPX, KML, OSM, GML, etc) (show full list)

Manage your User data sources

Access servers (SQL Server, PostGIS, etc) (show full list)

Access to other connections (WFS, ODBC, etc.) (show full list)

Manage schemas and tables

Transformation of coordinates

Unified tools

Updated CS objects list

Smart Transformations

Background Maps

Easy Map control tools

User Maps

Base Maps to design (roads, satellite, hybrid, etc.)

Maps Snapshots

Terrains

3D Points from the drawing or Elevation service providers

2D or 3D Contours

3D Terrain models

Publishing to Google Earth

One-click full export operation

Clone the drawing or a selection

Open directly in Google Earth

Alphanumeric data

Data structure

Entities management and Queries

Zoom to selection

Interactive Data grid

Single License Price

$259^USD

$335^USD

$449^USD

Spatial Manager™ for ZWCAD

Technical resources

Whitepapers
[1] Import coordinates from Excel to ZWCAD
[2] Import CSV into ZWCAD
[3] Import points into ZWCAD
[4] ZWCAD XYZ
[5] How to import shapefiles into ZWCAD
[6] Import KML to ZWCAD
[7] Ordnance Survey in ZWCAD

Spatial Manager™ for ZWCAD

Requirements

ZWCAD and ZWCAD Architecture - Professional edition (see current Compatible ZWCAD applications)
100 MB free disk space, or more
Windows Installer 3.1 or later

Spatial Manager™ for ZWCAD

Assemblies

Compatible with ZWCAD 2018 ^(*):

Version 4.1.0.6841 (November 29, 2017): 32&64-bit (.exe) | 32-bit (.msi) | 64-bit (.msi)
Version 4.1.0.6857 (December 12, 2017): 32&64-bit (.exe) | 32-bit (.msi) | 64-bit (.msi)
Version 4.2.0.7253 (April 21, 2018): 32&64-bit (.exe) | 32-bit (.msi) | 64-bit (.msi)
Version 4.2.1.7480 (June 21, 2018): 32&64-bit (.exe) | 32-bit (.msi) | 64-bit (.msi)

Compatible with ZWCAD 2019 ^(*):

Version 5.0.0.7915 (November 5, 2018): 32&64-bit (.exe) | 32-bit (.msi) | 64-bit (.msi)
Version 5.1.0.8077 (January 9, 2019): 32&64-bit (.exe) | 32-bit (.msi) | 64-bit (.msi)
Version 5.2.0.8276 (April 1, 2019): 32&64-bit (.exe) | 32-bit (.msi) | 64-bit (.msi)

Compatible with ZWCAD 2020 ^(*):

Version 5.3.0.8438 (June 24, 2019): 32&64-bit (.exe) | 32-bit (.msi) | 64-bit (.msi)
Version 5.3.0.8499 (July 18, 2019): 32&64-bit (.exe) | 32-bit (.msi) | 64-bit (.msi)
Version 6.0.1.8872 (November 13, 2019): 32&64-bit (.exe) | 32-bit (.msi) | 64-bit (.msi)
Version 6.0.2.8962 (December 19, 2019): 32&64-bit (.exe) | 32-bit (.msi) | 64-bit (.msi)
Version 6.0.2.9000 (January 9, 2020): 32&64-bit (.exe) | 32-bit (.msi) | 64-bit (.msi)
Version 6.0.2.9027 (January 22, 2020): 32&64-bit (.exe) | 32-bit (.msi) | 64-bit (.msi)
Version 6.1.1.9239 (April 8, 2020): 32&64-bit (.exe) | 32-bit (.msi) | 64-bit (.msi)
Version 6.1.1.9309 (May 4, 2020): 32&64-bit (.exe) | 32-bit (.msi) | 64-bit (.msi)

(*) From ZWCAD 2017

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Latest blog posts

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Search Locations. What about being able to do it directly on your drawings or maps? ‘Spatial Manager’ provides this functionality and the possibility of inserting the geometries of the locations found (READ MORE)
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"Thanks for continuing to improve a great product. As a former AutoCAD Map and ArcGis customer, I am very pleased with Spatial Manager"
Ben Hay Hammet
Ecoast LLC