SPM for GstarCAD > Features > Background maps > Snapshots

Snapshots in GstarCAD

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.

Editions: Standard Professional
What's included in the feature Snapshots

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

Snapshots

Get static GstarCAD raster images from the Maps. Up to four levels of image resolution. Provides interesting solutions to define different maps for different Viewports and/or Views, as an advanced Printing or Publishing tool, to combine Maps or to clip the Maps.

Snapshots<span style='font-size: 1rem;'></span>

Capture view or custom area

Capture background map snapshots from the current view or by digitizing a custom area.

Capture view or custom area<span style='font-size: 1rem;'></span>

Insert as raster or OLE

Snapshots can be inserted as raster images and referenced in different formats (PNG, JPG, or TIF), or as OLE images embedded directly in the DWG file.

Insert as raster or OLE<span style='font-size: 1rem;'></span>

Georeferenced Snapshots

Snapshots created as raster images are stored next to the drawing and are accompanied by a World File. This file makes it possible to use the raster image directly in other GIS software.

Georeferenced Snapshots<span style='font-size: 1rem;'></span>

Detail level

Image detail level can be selected. By default, optimal quality is used, which matches the quality of the current view. For performance reasons and to reduce file size, the highest image quality is achieved when the captured area is smaller. Therefore, if maximum quality is required, it is recommended to make multiple captures of smaller areas.

Detail level<span style='font-size: 1rem;'></span>
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

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

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
Multiple simultaneous background maps in DWG/DXF

With Spatial Manager™, you can load multiple maps from different sources and compound an advanced view. Arrange their display priority, and control their visibility independently—making it easier than ever to... more

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

frequently asked questions
Current compatible GstarCAD applications:
  • Versions: From v.2018 to v.2026 both included. Review the version compatibility page for more details.
  • Editions: Standard, Professional and Educational
System requirements:
  • Windows 7 or higher, within the operating system versions supported by the GstarCAD 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) (5)
  • WFS data store (OGR) (1) (2) (5)

(1) Read-only
(2) OGR data source
(3) FDO provider (May not be available on GstarCAD 32-bit)
(4) Background Maps technology
(5) 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