SPM for AutoCAD > Features > Background maps > Printable background maps

Printable background maps in AutoCAD

Enhanced in V10

Include and publish background maps in printed drawings

Easily include the selected background map as part of your final printed or exported drawings, preserving the geographic context in hard copies or digital files. You can also publish multiple layouts at once, with the active background map updated automatically in each viewport.

Editions: Standard Professional
What's included in the feature Printable background maps

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

Plot background map

Enhanced in V10

Allows you to include the selected background map as part of your final printed or exported drawings. This ensures that the geographic context provided by the map is preserved in hard copies or digital exports.

Plot background map<span style='font-size: 1rem;'></span>
Play video

Publish background map

Enhanced in V10

Plot multiple layouts at one step, the active background map view will be updated to each viewport.

Publish background map<span style='font-size: 1rem;'></span>

Notes

  • "Publish in background" is not compatible and my cause unexpected results, please disable this option before executing
  • Some old AutoCAD editions may not be fully compatible
  • If more resolution is required of for ensure a successful operation with any plot configuration, it is recomended to use Snapshots

    • 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.

    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

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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