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Import Camera Photo

Hellen Grace Llames
Updated

Introduction

With Plex-Earth 2023, you can import photos containing GPS data that would be placed on the correct coordinates, in accordance with the georeference applied. These photos can be taken using GPS-enabled camera devices such as smartphone cameras, drone cameras, etc. Modern digital camera devices nowadays, usually automatically record information like camera settings and other relevant data, right into photographs, which are called EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) data. This information can then be later used to organize/categorize photos, and provide vital information which can be deemed useful to a project. And this includes GPS information such as latitude and longitude.

In this tutorial, you can see how to easily import camera photos into your AutoCAD drawing.

Step 1. Georeference your drawing

Step 2. Check if the photo has GPS data

Step 3. Import Camera Photo

 

Step 1. Georeference your drawing

To begin with, the drawing needs to be georeferenced to ensure that any imported elements will be placed on the correct coordinates.

To accomplish that, use Plex-Earth's georeferencing features or if the drawing is already georeferenced via AutoCAD's Geolocation, Plex-Earth will automatically recognize and adapt the applied georeference settings. 

Georeferencing_using_Plex-Earth_2023.png

Click here for a step-by-step tutorial on how to georeference your project using Plex-Earth.

 

Step 2. Check if the photo has GPS data

Make sure that the photo to be imported contains GPS data which can be found in its properties.

To check it, locate the photo to import, right-click on it, and click on Properties.

Locate_the_Properties_of_a_Photo.png

In the Details tab, scroll down and find the GPS section. In this section, you will see the latitude, longitude, and sometimes, altitude.

GPS_data_in_Photo_Properties.png

 

Step 3. Import Camera Photo

To start importing the camera photo in AutoCAD, in the Raster Tools panel, click on the Import Camera Photo command.

Import_Photo_Command_of_Plex-Earth.png

You will be prompted to locate the photo you want to import.

Locate_the_Camera_Photo.png

Once selected, the photo will be imported into your drawing on the appropriate coordinates.

Camera_Photo_Imported_in_AutoCAD_using_Plex-Earth.png

NOTES:

  1. No GPS data in the photo: If the photo does not have GPS data, an error message will appear when you try to import it above the command line of AutoCAD.No_location_data.png
  2. Scaling: The imported photo is not scaled so it may need to be scaled accordingly to fit in the drawing.

 

Conclusion

That is how easy it is to import camera photos in AutoCAD using Plex-Earth, that you can now incorporate into your drawing and can provide vital information to assess the feasibility of a potential project or the progress of an existing project which can also help enhance work efficiency.

We hope that you have found this introduction on how to Import Camera Photo, helpful. Feel free to contact us at support@plexscape.com for any questions you may still have.

Don't have Plex-Earth yet? Explore all the features and potential benefits of this software; install a fully functional 7-day free trial of Plex-Earth now!

plex-earth-free-trial.png

Compatibility includes:

AutoCAD Version: 2024 , 2023 , 2022 , 2021 , 2020 , 2019 , 2018 , 2017 , 2016

Civil 3D® Version: 2024 , 2023 , 2022 , 2021 , 2020 , 2019 , 2018 , 2017 , 2016

AutoCAD Architecture Version: 2024 , 2023 , 2022 , 2021 , 2020 , 2019 , 2018 , 2017 , 2016

BricsCAD Pro: V23 , V22 , V21

 

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