SPM for AutoCAD > Features > Import data > Geometry options

Geometry options in AutoCAD

Import as points or block references, fill polygons, or create centroids

Choose between AutoCAD Points or Block References to represent point features or polygon centroids when importing. Use field values to assign block names dynamically and map data to block attributes. Define scale and rotation based on attribute fields. Fill polygons with hatch patterns and transparencies, and optionally generate centroids for area features.

Editions: Basic Standard Professional
What's included in the feature Geometry options

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

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.

Use field based blocks for points and centroids<span style='font-size: 1rem;'></span>
Play video

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.

Block insertion parameters from field values<span style='font-size: 1rem;'></span>

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 fills and transparencies<span style='font-size: 1rem;'></span>

Creation of polygon centroids during import

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

Creation of polygon centroids during import<span style='font-size: 1rem;'></span>

MPolygons

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

MPolygons<span style='font-size: 1rem;'></span>
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Related features
Import options<span style='font-size: 1rem;'> - <a href='../import-options/' class='app_color_link'>More info ></a></span>

Import options

Assign layers, label features, filter spatially, and control elevation

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

Data import

Import attribute data as XDATA for smarter AutoCAD drawings

* Only available in Standard and Professional editions

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

Import tasks

Save Tasks in AutoCAD to replay import processes (including all process parameters) so many times as desired

* Only available in Professional edition

Advanced import tools<span style='font-size: 1rem;'> - <a href='../advanced-import-tools/' class='app_color_link'>More info ></a></span>

Advanced import tools

Import data easily using wizards, palettes, or batch tools

Import files, databases and online services<span style='font-size: 1rem;'> - <a href='../import-files-databases-and-online-services/' class='app_color_link'>More info ></a></span>

Import files, databases and online services

Connect to a wide variety of spatial data sources

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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