This tutorial describes the Plex.Earth 3 functions to import georeferenced aerial imagery into your drawing. The image source can be either Google Earth, or the new built-in Map Explorer. The availalbe options are:
| Google Earth | Map Explorer | |||
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Image on Area | N/A | Imports a single image into the rectangular area you specify in AutoCAD. | |
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Image from Current View |  |
Import Current Image | Imports into AutoCAD the image currently diplayed in Google Earth/Map Explorer. |
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Create Mosaic |  |
Simple Mosaic | Imports a grid of images taken at the current Google Earth/Map Explorer zoom level. |
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Polygonal Mosaic |  |
Polygonal Mosaic | Fills a polygonal area with imported images. |
 |
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Path Mosaic | Fills a band of defined width around a specified path with imagery |
Each Google Earth function is presented in detail below. Any corresponding Map Explorer function works in essentially the same way. The only difference is the imagery source and the importing speed (the Map Explorer is significantly faster).
Image on Area
Use this option to specify a rectangular area in AutoCAD which Plex.Earth will fill with a single Google Earth image.
Step 1: Select the Area Image command from the dropdown menu
Step 2: Select the rectangular region into which you want to import the imagery
Step 3: Plex.earth will import the image into your AutoCAD drawing
Tip: Use Draw Order -> Send to Back on your new image to bring your project back on top if the imported image covers part of it
Image from Current View
Use this option when you have used Google Earth to zone in the specific area of interest and want to import the exact contents of your window into your AutoCAD drawing.
Step 1: Select the Image from Current View command for the dropdown menu
Step 2: Plex.earth will import the image into your AutoCAD drawing
The image currently displayed in Google Earth will be imported into your autocad drawing.
Note: Remember to use Draw Order -> Send to Back on the new image to bring your project back on top.
Create Mosaic
Use this option to specify a rectangular area in AutoCAD which Plex.Earth will fill with a series of images, taken at the zoom level currently used in Google Earth.
Step 1: Select the Mosaic command
If the Eye altitude currently set in Google Earth is too high/low, you will be given a warning to zoom in/out before proceeding.
Step 2: Specify a rectangual area in your AutoCAD drawing
Step 3: The "Mosaic creator" window will appear, showing the grid of images to be imported.
If you do not want make modifications to the grid, choose to start capturing the images to proceed
Step 4: The selected region will be filled with a mosaic of Google Earth imagery
Tip: If the navigation tools on the right and the Google Earth logos on the bottom appear on every imported image, you can deactivate the former and apply a vertical image overlap on the latter in order for them to appear only at the very bottom of your mosaic.
- To deactivate the Google Earth navigation tools go to View -> Show Navigation and select "Never".
- To set a vertical image overlap select "Image & Mosaic Options" from the Plex.Earth 3 Options and define the desired magnitude:
Polygonal Mosaic
Use this option when want to fill a polygonal area in your AutoCAD design with a series of Google Earth aerial images at the currently used zoom level.
Step 1: Select the Polygonal Mosaic command for the dropdown menu
Step 2: Specify a polygonal area in your AutoCAD drawing
The Mosaic Creator will appear. Select to start capturing images if you do not want to make modifications to the suggested grid.
Step 3: The selected region will be filled with a mosaic of Google Earth imagery
Path Mosaic
Use this option to a band along a certain path in Autocad, which will be filled with Google Earth imagery taken at the currently used zoom level.
Step 1: Select the Path Mosaic command
Step 2: Create a path in your Autocad drawing by selecting a series of points
You can also select an existing polyline of your drawing as the path by pressing the "Down" arrow, selecting "Objects" and then clicking on the polyline.
After defining the path, select the left and right swath which determine the width of the created mosaic on each side of the polyline. The Mosaic Creator will then appear. Select to start capturing images if you do not want to make modifications to the suggested grid.
Step 3:
The specified band will be filled with a mosaic of Google Earth imagery
