SPM for AutoCAD > Features > Background maps > Multiple maps and views

Multiple maps and views in AutoCAD

Enhanced in V10

Display and manage multiple background maps across views and viewports

You can load several background maps simultaneously, define their drawing priority, and toggle them independently. Maps can also be displayed in different views, including model space and layout viewports, ensuring proper visualization and printing in all contexts.

Editions: Standard Professional
What's included in the feature Multiple maps and views

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

Multiple simultaneous background maps

You can display several background maps simultaneously, set the priority of each of them and activate/deactivate them independently.

Multiple simultaneous background maps<span style='font-size: 1rem;'></span>
Play video

Background maps in multiple views

New in V10

Background maps can be displayed simultaneously in different views, including model space and layout viewports. This ensures that background maps are correctly shown and printed in all relevant views.

Background maps in multiple views<span style='font-size: 1rem;'></span>
Play video
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

Custom User Maps<span style='font-size: 1rem;'> - <a href='../custom-user-maps/' class='app_color_link'>More info ></a></span>

Custom User Maps

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

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.

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

Related Posts
Mapflow AI mapping and imagery analysis to DWG

Mapflow is a cutting-edge geospatial intelligence platform leveraging artificial intelligence to automatically identify and classify geographic objects—such as buildings, roads, and forested areas—within satellite and aerial imagery.... more

U.S. Department of Agriculture background maps

The Farm Service Agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides some web services for accessing the National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP). Spatial Manager products provide an easy way... more

Street View on your drawings

The Street View palette in ‘Spatial Manager’ (CAD versions) allows you to visualize dynamic Google Street View images directly in your CAD application by selecting a point on any geo-referenced... more

Accessing user Datasets (NL PDOK sample)

In this post we will review the tools provided by ‘Spatial Manager’ for accessing geographic dataset services, both imagery and vector. This example will use some of the datasets provided... more

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