How Do I Overlay Google Maps in AutoCAD?

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Are you an AutoCAD user looking to overlay Google Maps onto your drawings? This can be a useful feature to add real-world context to your designs. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of overlaying Google Maps in AutoCAD.

Step 1: Install the required software

Before we begin, you need to ensure that you have the necessary software installed on your computer. This includes AutoCAD and a web browser such as Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.

Step 2: Obtain the Google Maps API key

In order to access and overlay Google Maps in AutoCAD, you will need an API key. An API key is a unique identifier that allows you to interact with Google Maps services. To obtain an API key, follow these steps:

  • Go to the Google Cloud Platform Console

    • Open your web browser and navigate to the Google Cloud Platform Console.

  • Create a new project

    • If you don’t have a project already, click on “Select a project” at the top of the page and then click on “New Project” to create one.

  • Enable the required APIs

    • In the Dashboard, click on “Enable APIs and Services”. Search for “Maps JavaScript API” and “Geocoding API”, then enable both of them.

  • Create an API key

    • In the left-hand sidebar, click on “Credentials”. Then click on “Create credentials” and select “API key”. Copy this newly generated API key for later use.

Step 3: Open AutoCAD and set up the drawing

Launch AutoCAD and open the drawing where you want to overlay Google Maps. Make sure you have the necessary permissions to edit the drawing.

Step 4: Insert a web browser object

To overlay Google Maps, we will use a web browser object in AutoCAD. Follow these steps:

  • Type WBROWSER

    • In the command line, type “WBROWSER” and press Enter.

  • Select a location for the web browser object

    • A dialogue box will appear asking you to specify a location for the web browser object. Click on the drawing area where you want to place it.

  • Paste the Google Maps URL

    • In the properties palette, paste the following URL in the “Location” field:

    https://maps.com/?output=embed
  • Resize and position the web browser object

    • Use AutoCAD’s editing tools to resize and position the web browser object according to your preferences.

Step 5: Overlay Google Maps on your drawing

With the web browser object in place, it’s time to overlay Google Maps onto your drawing. Follow these steps:

  • Select the web browser object

    • Select the web browser object by clicking on it.

  • Type WBSETTINGS

    • In the command line, type “WBSETTINGS” and press Enter.

  • Configure the web browser settings

    • In the properties palette, click on the “General” tab. Set the following options:

    • Visible: Yes
    • Enable navigation toolbar: No
    • Enable address bar: No
    • Enable status bar: No
  • Apply the changes

    • Click on “Apply” and then “OK” to apply the changes to the web browser object.

  • Save your drawing

    • Finally, save your drawing to preserve the overlay.

Congratulations!

You have successfully overlayed Google Maps in AutoCAD. The web browser object allows you to interact with Google Maps directly within your AutoCAD drawing, providing you with real-time location information. Use this feature to enhance your designs and improve accuracy.

We hope this tutorial was helpful in guiding you through the process of overlaying Google Maps in AutoCAD. Now you can take advantage of this powerful integration in your future projects.

If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, feel free to reach out to our support team. Happy designing!