Plex-Earth Lite is the Perfect Tool for Viewing Google Maps Imagery in CAD
Introduction
Plex-Earth Lite is an extremely useful tool for CAD software that designers, engineers, and architects utilize for optimizing their workflow. Being the light version of Plexscape's flagship, it can enable any professional in the field to:
- Quickly view Google Maps imagery in AutoCAD and BricsCAD.
- Easily view imagery downloaded with the full version of Plex-Earth, to any computer.
- Georeference any drawing by selecting a coordinate system or by specifying the location in Google Earth.
- Take advantage of Google Earth's elements like placemarks, paths, and polygons for validation or information exchange.
And all these, are completely free!
Now everyone can have top-notch imagery as a base for their drawings and boost their design processes and workflows!
So, do you want to learn the magical secrets of Plex-Earth Lite?
Actually, learning Plex-Earth does not require any great trick. All you have to do is go through the following tutorials:
1. Georeference your Drawing
Before using any command in Plex-Earth Lite, the Georeference settings must be defined, in order for the software to know where to place the imported elements.
The georeference settings can be adjusted either by selecting among 3,500+ coordinate systems worldwide or by specifying the location in Google Earth.
If a drawing is already georeferenced through AutoCAD's GEO command, it will be automatically identified and there is no need for further action.
These tutorials explain all the available methods for georeferencing.
2. Quickly View Google Maps Imagery in CAD
An amazing feature of Plex-Earth is the ability to view Google Maps imagery in CAD software with only a few mouse clicks!
Now any engineer can cover their CAD Viewports with images positioned according to the coordinate system and the CAD Zoom Level, very easily and very quickly.
The lower the Viewport Zoom Level, the bigger the project area that will be covered. At the same time, the bigger the area, the lower the imagery quality. On the contrary, for better quality, a closer zoom-in can be performed, resulting of course in coverage for smaller project areas.
Notes:
1. For covering large areas with high quality imagery, the full version of
Plex-Earth might come in handy. Moreover, the imports will be permanently stored
within the drawing, whilst with the Lite's Quick View, the imports disappear with
a new view or after a new session.
2. Quick Views cannot be printed/plotted. However, with the full version of Plex-Earth, one
can import an imagery mosaic and may plot/print the mosaic depending on each providers' Terms
of Use. More information can be found here.
Using Google Maps imagery as a design base solves many civil engineering issues.
Learn more about this incredible feature, by clicking here.
3. View any Imagery Downloaded with the Full Version of Plex-Earth, to any Computer
Do you want to share your imagery imports, made with the full version of Plex-Earth, with your colleagues?
Or do your coworkers use the full version and you want to take advantage of their imports as well?
Well, the full version is a magnificent tool as it offers high-quality, up-to-date imagery from the best providers in the field.
When importing imagery with Plex-Earth, by using any of the paid subscription plans, the images are automatically reloaded each time a drawing is opened.
With the Viewer, the same thing occurs. When a DWG file is loaded, all imagery imports made in this design will reappear instantly.
No more external files, no large files, no full or relative paths.
Just save the drawing, share it anywhere you want, and with Lite, literally, anyone will be able to view Plex-Earth's imagery.
You can get accustomed to this process by reading this tutorial.
4. Take Αdvantage of Google Earth's Εlements
Having communication between Google Earth and CAD software is very important, as it can be the medium that will allow the engineer to associate their design with the real world.
With the Lite version, the engineer can create placemarks, paths, and polygons in CAD, and export them to Google Earth.
Now instant feedback regarding the location or the boundaries of an area can be obtained, by using Plex-Earth's Google Earth tools.
For more information, take a look at this tutorial.
Note: The communication of CAD and Google Earth can rise to a higher level, by
using the export / import KML/KMZ features of the full version, as a whole
drawing can be exported to Google Earth, allowing everyone to easily tour and
understand a design or proposal.
Conclusion
With Plex-Earth Lite any engineer can now have this perfect design companion for free. From viewing Google Maps imagery or images imported with the full version to connecting to Google Earth, the design process now can come with fewer worries! Get a good sense of how your area looks, very easily and very quickly, from your computer screen.
And if you want to enjoy more magic, then of course you can try out Plex-Earth 2023. This means more imagery features, more providers, editing tools, terrain data, and the ability to import/export KML/KMZ features!
Compatibility includes:
AutoCAD Version: 2023 , 2022 , 2021 , 2020 , 2019 , 2018 , 2017 , 2016
Civil 3D® Version: 2023 , 2022 , 2021 , 2020 , 2019 , 2018 , 2017 , 2016
AutoCAD Architecture Version: 2023 , 2022 , 2021 , 2020 , 2019 , 2018 , 2017 , 2016
BricsCAD Pro: V22 , V21