Import spatial data into AutoCAD

Imports spatial data, into new or existing AutoCAD drawings, as AutoCAD objects and Extended Entity Data (EED/XDATA)

Spatial Manager™ for AutoCAD imports spatial data, into new or existing AutoCAD drawings, as AutoCAD objects and Extended Entity Data (EED/XDATA), using a powerful wizard which lets the user choose or select all the necessary import parameters in order to get differentiated spatial information in a CAD drawing

Batch-import, automatic layering, fill of polygons, blocks according data values and mapped attributes, labeling, elevation, thickness or the spatial filters are only part of the application functionality when importing from spatial files, data servers, data stores, etc. (Data Providers list)

Objects imported into a new or open drawing

Import processes can be performed in the current AutoCAD drawing or in a new drawing. The application opens a new drawing automatically if needed

Basic target layer or new target layers using a field value

Define a common target layer or select a field from the incoming data source to take its values as the target layer for each new imported object

Use field based blocks for points and centroids

Choose between AutoCAD Points or Block References when importing point features or polygon feature centroids. When using Blocks, you can select a field to choose the Block References names to insert and "map" fields from the incoming data to Attributes included inside the Block definitions

Block insertion parameters from field values

Also use fields from the incoming data to define Block insertion parameters, such as the scale and the rotation

Polygon fills and transparencies

Fill polygon areas using AutoCAD Hatches and define the Hatches parameters, such as pattern, angle and scale. Apply transparencies to the Hatches

Polygon centroids

Draw optional centroids when importing polygon features using AutoCAD Points or Block References

Labeling objects while importing

Choose a data field to label any object: point type, linear type or polygonal type (centroids). Smart text location for the linear type objects. The properties for the new texts (rotation, height, etc.) can be taken from other data fields

Spatial filter

Import only the objects in the current view

Elevation and thickness from field values

Take field values from incoming data to set the elevation and/or thickness for the new objects

Import data from tables as XDATA (EED)

Import Features data as XDATA (EED) to get more "intelligent" AutoCAD drawings

* Only available in Standard and Professional editions

Speed up the processes skipping some wizard steps

Skip unnecessary steps for a particular job and go directly to the execution of the import process, to follow all the guidelines set by the import wizard

Use the intuitive palette options or the quick import function

Use the right-click menu on a particular data source to import from this source, or run the import command that avoids having to open the application palette if you do not want it

Batch import

Import all the files from a folder in one go. If needed, separate the content of each file in different Layers

Import Tasks

The Tasks allow to repeat any import process so many times as desired without needing to enter the parameters again. Manage and execute Tasks in the application palette

* Only available in Professional edition

MPolygons

Option to select "Polygons" (MPolygons) as the type of object to use when importing polygons (even on basic AutoCAD)

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.2025 both included
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
  • 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) (1)
  • 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 Web Map Services (4)
  • WMTS Web Map Tile Services (4)
  • XYZ/TMS Tile Map Services (4)

Other spatial data sources
  • Open Database Connectivity ODBC (1)
  • WFS 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 data provider

Note: certain data Providers are only valid for some Editions of the application
  • We process a personalized analysis of each case, so some types of advanced licenses are not offered directly on the web store. Please contact to support@spatialmanager.com indicating your needs and we will send you a customized quote