SPM for AutoCAD > Features > Background maps > Custom User Maps

Custom User Maps in AutoCAD

Configure new custom Maps by entering a minimum of data and share the configuration with other users

Editions: Standard Professional
What's included in the feature Custom User Maps

Discover the full potential of this set of tools designed to enhance GIS data integration and editing within AutoCAD.

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 as well as export/import customized map definitions to be shared with other users.

User Maps<span style='font-size: 1rem;'></span>

Connect to custom map services

Connect to your local map provider and access to most common data source types:

  • WMS/OGC API Maps: Web Map Service
  • WMTS/OGC API Tiles: Web Map Tile Service
  • XYZ/TMS: Standard Tile Map Service
  • COG Tiff: Cloud Optimized Geo Tiff

Connect to custom map services<span style='font-size: 1rem;'></span>

Share between computers

Define your custom user maps, export and import to other computers, a way to easily share the background maps configuration with your workteamDefine your custom user maps, export and import them to other computers — an easy way to share background map configurations with your workteam.

Share between computers<span style='font-size: 1rem;'></span>
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Related features
Easy to use map tools<span style='font-size: 1rem;'> - <a href='../easy-to-use-map-tools/' class='app_color_link'>More info ></a></span>

Easy to use map tools

Control and use background maps easily while working or designing

Predefined map services<span style='font-size: 1rem;'> - <a href='../predefined-map-services/' class='app_color_link'>More info ></a></span>

Predefined map services

 Enhanced in V10

Access diverse, high-quality background maps from multiple providers

Snapshots<span style='font-size: 1rem;'> - <a href='../snapshots/' class='app_color_link'>More info ></a></span>

Snapshots

Capture static background map images and insert them into the drawing as raster images (PNG, JPG, TIF) or OLE objects. Snapshots can be georeferenced using a World File, and you can select the image detail level. Ideal for presentations, printing, or external GIS use.

Multiple maps and views<span style='font-size: 1rem;'> - <a href='../multiple-maps-and-views/' class='app_color_link'>More info ></a></span>

Multiple maps and views

 Enhanced in V10

Display and manage multiple background maps across views and viewports

Printable background maps<span style='font-size: 1rem;'> - <a href='../printable-background-maps/' class='app_color_link'>More info ></a></span>

Printable background maps

 Enhanced in V10

Include and publish background maps in printed drawings

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frequently asked questions
Current compatible AutoCAD applications:
  • AutoCAD, AutoCAD Map 3D, AutoCAD Civil 3D and AutoCAD Architecture (Windows Only)
  • Versions: From v.2013 to v.2026 both included. Review the version compatibility page for more details.
Note: AutoCAD LT is not a compatible application because of its intrinsic limitations but you can use Spatial Manager Desktop™ to import/export via DXF files
System requirements:
  • Windows 7 or higher, within the operating system versions supported by the AutoCAD version used
  • 500 MB free disk space, or more
  • Windows Installer 3.1 or later
Spatial files
  • Esri Shape file - (SHP)
  • Google Earth file - (KML, KMZ)
  • OpenStreetMap file - (OSM, PBF, OSC) (1)
  • LiDAR file - (LAS, LAZ)
  • GPS exchange format file - (GPX)
  • Esri ASCII Grid file - (ASC, ASCII) (1)
  • ASCII text file - (ASC, CSV, NEZ, TXT, XYZ, UPT)
  • SQLite file - (SQLITE, DB)
  • GeoPackage file - (GPKG)
  • GML file - (GML, GZ, XML)
  • Raster image file - (TIF, PNG, JPG, JPEG, TIFF) (1)
  • Autodesk SDF file - (SDF) (3)
  • MicroStation v.7 file - (DGN) (2)
  • AutoCAD DXF file - (DXF) (2)
  • Esri ArcInfo export file (ASCII) - (E00) (1) (2)
  • MapInfo file - (TAB) (2)
  • MapInfo interchange format file - (MIF/MID) (2)
  • GeoJSON file - (GEO.JSON)

Spatial raster files
  • Raster image file - (TIF, PNG, JPG, JPEG, TIFF) (1)
    • Georeference sources - (World files, Google Earth .GEPRINT, etc.)
  • Variable resolution Raster image file - (Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF/COG TIFF) (1) (4)

Spatial data servers and Geo-databases
  • Esri Geodatabase File - (GDB) (1)
  • PostGIS database
  • Microsoft SQL Server Spatial database
  • MySQL database (1) (3)

Image map servers
  • WMS/OGC API Maps Web Map Services (4)
  • WMTS/OGC API Tiles Web Map Tile Services (4)
  • XYZ/TMS Tile Map Services (4)

Other spatial data sources
  • Open Database Connectivity ODBC (1)
  • WFS/OGC API Features data store (1)
  • WFS data store (FDO) (1) (3) (6)
  • WFS data store (OGR) (1) (2) (5) (6)

(1) Read-only
(2) OGR data source
(3) FDO provider
(4) Background Maps technology
(5) OGR for WFS data stores will not be found in the data Provider list under some circumstances (certain AutoCAD Map versions and others). Please, use the native or FDO variants for this data Provider
(6) DEPRECATED - Whenever possible use the native WFS/OGC API Features data provider

Note: certain data Providers are only valid for some Editions of the application