Download historical imagery directly from Google Earth to your DWG using your preferred CAD platform for enhanced accuracy and analysis. Get aerial photographs from different dates and compare the evolution of land and buildings over the years to make informed design decisions.

Available for AutoCAD, BricsCAD, ZWCAD and GstarCAD.


1. Locate your working area

  • If you have a DWG already geolocated, execute the SPMCREATEKML command to create a KML in one step and open it with Google Earth.
  • To start a new project, go directly to step 2 and locate it in Google Earth by searching for your location.

2. Set the desired layers and view in Google Earth

  • Once the view is located, hide your project elements.
  • Then, enable the layers you want to include and hide the others.

3. Set top-north view

  • Click on the map and press the ‘R’ key or go to the menu “View/Reset/Tilt and Compass”.

4. Show historical imagery time slider

  • Click on the toolbar button and explore different timestamped images.
Google Earth time slider

Google Earth time slider

5. Create a .geprint auxiliary file

  • Click the “Save image” icon or go to the menu “File/Save/Save image”. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Alt+S.
  • Select your desired resolution, up to 8K UHD (do not select the “Maximum” option, as the variable image proportion will not be recognized and cannot be imported).
  • Click “Map Options” and hide any undesired elements: Title and Description, Legend, Scale, Compass, etc.
  • Above, in the “Map Configuration” section, click “Save…” and save the .geprint configuration file.

6. Save images from different acquisition dates

  • Move the slider to your desired date.
  • Click “Save image…” and save the image next to the .geprint saved in step 5.
  • Repeat for all the required capture dates.

7. Import using Spatial Manager

  • Import the saved images using the SPMIMPORT command or directly from the Spatial Manager palette (the SPM command).
  • Check the “Google Earth print (.geprint)” option and select the .geprint file created in step 5.
  • Repeat for all the other images.
.geprint import options

.geprint import options

8. Review the imported raster image

  • Select the image and send it to the back (DRAWORDER command).
historical images comparison

historical images comparison

Notes: - This method is compatible with Google Earth Pro on desktop, not Google Earth on the web or on mobile. - Some features are available only in the Standard or Professional editions.