SPM for AutoCAD > Features > Image tools > Import of photos with EXIF GPS data

Import of photos with EXIF GPS data in AutoCAD

Import of photographs with GPS location (contained in their EXIF data), captured at the moment they are taken and automatically placed in their correct location in the drawing when importing

Editions: Professional

Import of photos with EXIF GPS data

Import photographs containing GPS coordinates embedded in their EXIF metadata.

During import, photos are automatically positioned at their accurate geographic locations within the drawing, reflecting the exact spot where they were captured.

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