View detailed, high‑resolution LINZ background maps directly in your DWG through WMTS services—no prior tile download required. Spatial Manager connects to the LINZ WMTS endpoint, requests only the tiles needed for the current view and transparently reprojects them to the active drawing Coordinate Reference System. LINZ offers updated aerial imagery maps for New Zealand.

Available for AutoCAD, BricsCAD, ZWCAD, GstarCAD and Desktop


Follow these simple steps for connecting with LINZ WMTS services:

1. Register and create a free account

  • For connecting with LINZ services a free account is required
  • Open LINZ account register URL and follow the registration steps.
  • This will create a Koordinates ID account, valid for accessing LINZ data sets

2. Login with the created user

  • Open LINZ data portal
  • On the top right corner, click on “Log in” and login with the created user

3. Explore catalog, search and select aerial imagery

  • Explore the existing data sets and use the search box to find the aerial imagery of your desired area.
  • The suitable layers must appears as “Raster Layer” type.
  • Next to each data set, the updated date is shown.
  • Click on the desired data set

4. Add to the map and preview

  • On the data set page, click on “Map +” button
  • This will show the map viewer with the data set loaded

5. Copy WMTS service URL

  • Go to “Services and APIs” tab.
  • Search WMTS section and copy the URL of the WMTS service with the “Layer WMTS Capabilities” label.
LINZ data

LINZ data

6. Define a custom map

  • Run SPMBGMAPSHOW command (for Spatial Manager Desktop, open the “Background Maps” panel).
  • Click the “Configure Background Maps” button and then “New” button.
  • In the “User map” dialog, check “WMS/WMTS” option
  • Paste the copied WMTS URL in the “URL” field and press “Get List of Layers”
  • The layer must be loaded in the list below, with the “Show preview” option a preview of the map is shown.
  • Optionally a name can be assigned to group multiple custom maps.
  • Click “OK” to save the custom map.

7. View the map

  • On the background maps map selector, select the created custom map.
  • The map will be loaded in the current view and updated to the current zoom level and drawing extents.
  • Optionally alternate with other maps (predefined or custom) for comparing differences.
LINZ data

LINZ data

Lot of countries and organizations around the world offer free/open WMS/WMTS services with aerial imagery or other types of maps that can be used as background maps in Spatial Manager products. Ask your local government or search in the web for finding them.

Note: Some functionalities can be found in the Standard or Professional editions only