Inserting a Bing Map Image - AutoCAD 2015

At Ideate we have been hard at work, rummaging through all of the new software and highlighting the most important new features in the 2015 product line. Last year AutoCAD added a function that allowed you to add map images from Bing to your drawings. This year, that functionality has been enhanced and improved.

Geolocation Map Insert Basics

First, I’d like to review how this function works. On the insert tab of your ribbon, you can access the Set Location > From Map function.  

After you agree to the terms of service, the Geographic Location – Specify Location (Page 1 of 2) box will pop up. Choosing a location is now broken into two pages within the Geographic Location box, as seen below. First, indicate an address in the Specify Location box. After you search and drop a pin at the location, click the next button go to the Set Coordinate System box. In here, only relevant coordinate systems are shown. Also, added to the 2015 release is the ability to search for other coordinate systems.

Once a coordinate system is selected and the center point and north arrow is specified, you will be allowed to zoom in and out on your image.

New Features

In addtion to the location tools and image type options (Map Aerial, Roads, Hybrid, or off) on the Geographic Location tab, you can Capture an Area and Viewport for plotting purposes and to preserve the current map data. This embeds the map into the drawing and allows you to work offline. 

After creating your Captured Area or Viewport, a Map Image tab will appear when the boundary of the area or viewport is selected. This tab has additional editing features, including changing the image resolution, brightness, contrast and fade. Additionally the boundary area can be edited using grips or other AutoCAD commands. Lastly, to ensure that the image is up to date, you can update the image while you are online.

To recap the new additions to the Image Map function, below is a list of the improvements.

1. The Geographic Location box is now broken into two boxes, the first being the location and the second being the coordinate system 
2. The ability to search for a coordinate system
3. The ability to capture and embed an area with a selection box or viewport to be accessed when offline
4. The Map Image tab that has Image Resolution, Image Controls, and Reload Image options for the embedded area
5. The ability to edit the embedded map area grip and boundary using common commands

Keep up with the new and improved features of Autodesk software by regularly checking this blog. Ideate’s technical team is dedicated to sifting through and illuminating new and improved features in the 2015 releases. Also check out this video to learn more about Geolocation Map Insert Basics.

Also, for information on training and consulting for the various products Ideate services, visit our website at www.ideateinc.com

Don’t forget to look through other great features our Ideate Technical Team has found in the new 2015 releases for Revit MEP, Revit Structure, Revit Architecture, AutoCAD and more: ideateinc.com/2015

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Kate Ming, P.E.
Ideate AEC Application Specialist

Kate is an Application Specialist at Ideate, Inc. and is a Professional Engineer with 6 years of industry experience. At Ideate, Kate provides training, consulting and technical support services for our customers.