SPM for ZWCAD > Features > Background maps

Background maps in ZWCAD

Enhanced in V10

Choose in ZWCAD from among a lot of dynamic Backgrounds Maps from providers such as Google Maps, OpenStreetMap, Bing, MapBox, Ordnance Survey, etc. or configure your own maps

Spatial Manager™ for ZWCAD allows to the ZWCAD users choose from among a lot of dynamic Backgrounds Maps from many providers such as Google Maps, OpenStreetMap, Bing, MapBox, Ordnance Survey, etc., customized maps from TMS, WMS/OGC API Maps or WMTS/OGC API Tiles servers or connections to Cloud Optimized GeoTIFF (COG TIFF) type origins. These maps will enhance the drawings quality and will let the users compare and check better.

The map images are automatically updated when the drawing view changes (zoom, pan, etc.) and the images resolution is automatically adapted to the view size. The user can take static geo-referenced Snapshots of the Maps.

Editions: Standard Professional
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

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

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frequently asked questions
Current compatible ZWCAD applications:
  • ZWCAD and ZWCAD Architecture
  • Professional edition (Classic and Standard editions are not compatible, but you can use Spatial Manager Desktop™ to import/export via DXF files)
  • Versions: From v.2017 to v.2026 both included. Review the version compatibility page for more details.
System requirements:
  • Windows 7 or higher, within the operating system versions supported by the ZWCAD 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
(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