Background Maps Overview
Use Background Maps to load online map imagery behind the active drawing and support map-based drafting, checking, and capture workflows.
Overview
Background Maps is part of the Web Maps tab in the SPCAD Palette. It loads a selected online basemap into the active drawing as a raster image using the current drawing view and the drawing CRS.
The loaded map is managed as an active WMTS/background map session. SPCAD stores the session information with the drawing so the palette can detect whether a map is currently active and restore the Auto Refresh and Bring to Front switch states.
Main Uses
Visual Reference
Display aerial, street, terrain, or other map imagery behind CAD entities for orientation and checking.
Drafting Context
Use the basemap as a temporary reference while drawing or reviewing site features.
Image Capture
Capture the selected map area and insert it as an OLE object or as a raster image from disk.
OSM Import Entry Point
Start OpenStreetMap vector import directly from the bottom button in the Background Maps tab.
Typical Workflow
- Assign a CRS to the drawing.
- Open the Web Maps tab and select Background Maps.
- Select a background map from the list.
- Click the map On / Off button, or double-click the selected map item.
- Pan or zoom to the area of interest and use Refresh when needed.
- Capture the map image if a permanent inserted image is required.
What SPCAD Creates
When a background map is loaded, SPCAD downloads or builds the map image for the current view, creates or updates a raster definition, inserts the raster image at the calculated drawing bounds, and records the session information.
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Raster image | The visible background map placed in model space. |
| Raster definition | The image definition used by the CAD drawing to reference the generated map image file. |
| Session data | Stored information such as the current image path, bounds, zoom level, tile count, Auto Refresh setting, and display order setting. |