How to import high-resolution imagery from Nearmap to AutoCAD with Plex-Earth

Now you can design directly onto Nearmap imagery in your CAD design today, via Plex-Earth’s simple and super-efficient interface, which auto-aligns exactly what you need, where you need it!

Plex-Earth is empowering thousands of engineers worldwide with correctly-aligned geographical views of their project sites, while still inside AutoCAD.

It’s super-fast and easy, via Google Earth, Bing Maps, OpenstreetMap or ANY other web-map service (WMS) provider.

BUT we don’t stop there!

We’re also partnered with PREMIUM imagery providers to enable you to access ultra high-resolution and updated imagery, still right inside your AutoCAD, via Plex-Earth’s easy-to-use interface.

Let’s look at a great example, Nearmap:

Nearmap is one of our most popular premium providers for the 3 countries they cover, which are the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

Nearmap offers top-notch updated aerial imagery, down to an impressive resolution as fine as 3” – 7cm per pixel, and yes, automagically georeferenced, scaled and aligned for you, inside AutoCAD! This automatic aspect of Plex-Earth saves you a LOT of time or re-tries, and time is money!

You can do this either by using your own API key (if you already have a subscription with Nearmap) or by purchasing data directly from Plexscape and benefit from Plex-Earth’s acclaimed user interface. Using Plex-Earth optimizes both image clarity and the way you use your data, specifically for civil engineering and architectural use, without you needing to keep zooming or panning around.

Want to learn more about how Plex-Earth can geo-visualize your next, or even your current project, because it’s so easy to use? Then contact us and we’ll be glad to show you the process and answer any and all of your questions.

Or you can just start designing with Plex-Earth right now, because you can download your fully-functional free trial.

Plex-Earth 2023 - Blockbuster Release!

Plex-Earth 2023: Our Biggest Blockbuster Ever!

Plex-Earth 2023 – it’s our biggest release… EVER!

First up is the debut of our newest rising star…

Introducing Inflights drone data – book custom flights!

Yes! For the first time ever, Plex-Earth brings you discounts on custom DRONE flights, with our little flying friends available almost anywhere on Earth!

Generating 2D orthomosaics, 3D models and maps can often have a higher degree of precision than traditional surveying methods. This game-changing development transforms Plex-Earth into a mandatory tool, not only for your early design stages, but for all design and even the later construction stages!

You just select the target area and pick your options from within Plex-Earth. You’ll soon receive a fast and firm quotation from a local independent pilot – and your Plex-Earth discount!

Your order activates the Inflights platform, which can obtain, process and analyze imagery and data from a global network of independent drone pilots and their equipment. This brings you consistent results with expert processing and analysis, while smartly avoiding the usual hassles of trying to arrange your own equipment or permits

It’s (nearly) all the fun of flying your own drone, without the flip-sides!

Orthomosaic expertise - multiple high-res’ drone images stitched together for you!

See our joint press release here: Drone data in AutoCAD: Plex-Earth and Inflights

Co-starring Cesium, a rising star in global 3D terrain!

Analytical Graphics Inc. went on a mission to produce the most accurate digital 3D version of our planet – all of it – ever created. The results are impressive!

Plex-Earth still offers terrain data from Amazon and Google Earth, but also introduces Cesium. Now you can choose from the unique characteristics of each provider, picking the best option for the different stages of your project, including the risks to avoid or the people you need to impress!

Importing 3D terrain into AutoCAD is now much improved, with:

• Google Earth, Terrain Tiles (AWS) and now Cesium!

• Fewer clicks

• More features

• Faster processing - much faster!

• Global coverage of 3D terrain

• Mesh points or contours, you’ve got it all!

• Effortlessly imported onto your AutoCAD .dwg

• Terrain analysis made easy (see tutorial link below)

• Resolution varies by location, from 30 meters down to 50 cm!

Rising star Cesium is already winning the hearts of engineers!

See more here: Importing terrain into AutoCAD tutorial

Time-Travel Special Effects by TimeViews™!

It wouldn’t be a blockbuster without a superpower or some special effects, and in Plex-Earth 2023 the hero – that’s YOU – can travel back in time!

A timeline of historical satellite imagery inside AutoCAD let’s you see what’s stayed the same, changed or is still changing, with:

• Worldwide coverage!

• Various datasets available

• High-quality and high-resolution from Airbus and Maxar

• Spanning as long as 10 years or as recent as a few days ago!

This is the Arena MRV in Brazil, during construction.

Note that because this is real imagery, for best results you can select periods without cloud cover!

See more about Plex-Earth Timeviews

Talking about timeliness and being up-to-date…

Putting premium satellite and aerial imagery in AutoCAD: Maxar, Airbus, Hexagon and Nearmap!

Satellite imagery doesn’t have to be Bing!

With global coverage, imagery that can be just a few days old and resolutions down to 30cm, Maxar or Airbus can take your satellite image background to the next level!

It’s not hard to tell which image is most up to date…

With Plex-Earth 2023:

• Static raster image – no flickering or reloading every time you zoom

• Static images also avoid over-consumption of premium imagery

• Multiple-image mosaics, to cover large areas at high resolution

• Most areas only weeks old, not months or years!

• Resolutions down to 50 or even 40 cm satellite

• Resolutions down to 30, 15 or even 7.5 cm aerial

You can see the bigger picture with satellites, while our aerial imagery from Nearmap and Hexagon can reveal the finer details across the US, Australia, Canada and the urban areas of New Zealand.

How fine? Depending on the supplier and area it can be 30cm, 15cm, even 7.5cm resolution!

Special Guest Appearance: Google Maps and Google Earth

Yes, the crowd-pleasing Google Twins return to your big AutoCAD screen!

Google Earth + AutoCAD = easy with Plex-Earth 2023!

Exporting objects into Google Earth is another crowd-pleaser that returns to grace the big screen!

Exporting from AutoCAD into Google Earth is easy with Plex-Earth!

Updating from Plex-Earth 4.0?

Plex-Earth 2023 offers you everything you love about 4.0, including the return of the Google Earth goodness, while offering you even more flexibility and power!

As a current Plex-Earth 4.0 user you’re entitled to extra-special assistance when stepping up to this new platform, including booking a free Teamviewer session where we’ll walk you through the differences. We even have a special PE4 to PE2023 transition tutorial just for you!

Functional free trial? Of course!

Most movies only last around 90 minutes; our free trial lasts 7 whole days and yes you can use Plex-Earth 2023 on a real project, right now!

Compatibility with AutoCAD 2023

Game changing companies look forward and being one step ahead is always a plus. Plex-Earth 2023 offers full compatibility with the just released AutoCAD 2023, as well as with its most popular verticals (Civil 3D, Map 3D, Architecture, Mechanical, Steel).

Locating your project area in a blank drawing - AutoCAD 2021

The following question recently arrived at our support team’s mailbox:

“I know the coordinate system and my project’s location in Google Earth, but how can I find its exact position in a blank drawing?”

Up until Plex-Earth 4, there was a command that allowed you to synchronize AutoCAD with the current view in Google Earth. It was one of the first commands developed in Plex-Earth back in 2008, and it was the base of more advanced functions (such as imagery mosaic importing). However it’s not directly available anymore due to the discontinuation of Google Earth's COM API.

But as we've already said, we accepted the challenge, and instead of downgrading functionality due to Google Earth’s changes, we instead took it as an opportunity to enhance the existing functionality, actually making it more meaningful and more useful than ever!

We improved that humble AutoCAD - Google Earth sync command by adopting the copy & paste functionality of Google Earth objects as a part of other commands, making them easier to use and more complete.

So, regarding the original question, you can choose between two simple ways/methods:

Method 1: Locate your project area in Google Earth. Create a placemark, path or polygon (any will work), copy it, and then simply paste it (Ctrl-V) in AutoCAD.

Plex-Earth will automatically do the rest and will zoom AutoCAD drawing to your project area.

Sounds almost too simple to be true, but Plex-Earth is smart enough to figure it out, and will automatically zoom the AutoCAD drawing to your project area for you! See the video below.

Method 2: Locate your project area in Google Earth, create a placemark (or other objects), copy it, and return to AutoCAD.

Click the "Import Imagery" button in Plex Earth 5 ribbon, select to import Simple Image, and choose Google Maps (or any other provider) on the next screen.

Again, Plex- Earth will do the rest and import an image to your project location.

Method 2 means you not only zoom your drawing to a specific geographic location, but you also import useful objects that can help you better identify and understand your project area.

Videos are good but wanna check it yourself, with a real project? Start your 7-day UNRESTRICTED free trial and experience Plex-Earth’s full capabilities in the next few minutes!

Introducing Plex.Earth Timeviews™: View the most up-to-date satellite imagery in AutoCAD

How many times did you wish you could have the current view of your project area? Outdated imagery can lead to costly design mistakes. Not anymore.

We have launched Plex.Earth Timeviews™, our new premium service, which brings Bird.i's up-to-date satellite imagery from DigitalGlobe, Airbus and Planet into your designs. Now you can get the most current view of your project area for any place in the world (you can read more here).

To guide you through Timeviews™, we have prepared a tutorial to show you how easy is to view the newest satellite imagery into your AutoCAD designs, for any project in the world.

Do you want to get free and unlimited access to Timeviews™ until the 31st of August?

We have an exclusive offer currently running for our amazing customers and anyone who wants to grab a new Plex.Earth subscription now!

Just make sure you download the newest version of Plex.Earth and follow the in-app instructions.

3 tips to optimally export your 3D AutoCAD designs to Google Earth (Solar farm example)

Design should be a productive experience, not a laborious process don’t you think? We constantly improve Plex.Earth to increase your workflow efficiency and enable any engineer focus on what matters most: his/her design.

Therefore, we have put together a detailed tutorial with three clever tips to show you how you can export your 3D AutoCAD designs into Google Earth faster, better and more efficiently.

Take a look here and don’t forget to start your free trial today. The latest version of Plex.Earth is out with new features like this one and important improvements!

Copy KML/KMZ objects from Google Earth to AutoCAD with Plex.Earth

We have introduced a powerful new feature in the latest version of Plex.Earth 4, which allows you to import objects from Google Earth into AutoCAD with a simple copy and paste operation.

You can even import KMZ elements that are loaded dynamically into Google Earth!

Interested to find more? Read our tutorial here.

Free webinar: 3D vehicle simulations in Google Earth with Plex.Earth and AutoTURN Pro

Looking to publish your 3D vehicle simulations in Google Earth?

We’re hosting a free webinar with our trusted partners, Transoft Solutions, to show you how you can do this easily and quickly, with Plex.Earth and AutoTURN Pro.

Join this webinar to learn how to import the most up-to-date satellite imagery, create swept path analyses and display the end result in Google Earth.

The benefits are numerous:

► You can share breathtaking presentations with anyone you want.
► Take instant feedback whenever you need it to meet your project deadlines.
► Impress your clients and land new ones.

Plex.Earth and AutoTURN Pro live webinar
Date: Thursday, June 13, 2019
Time: 10:00 AM PT | 12:00 PM CT | 18:00 PM CET
Hosts: Nicolas Paraskevopoulos, Customer Support Specialist at Plexscape
Majo Varghese, Sales Consultant at Transoft Solutions

How to create terrain contours with Plex.Earth

With Plex.Earth 4, you can visualize terrain morphology with elevation contours and import thousands of terrain elevation points into AutoCAD, automatically and incredibly quickly.

We have created a detailed tutorial to guide you through the process of creating contours easily with Plex.Earth 4.

For a detailed guide on how to import terrain, check our post on our support section.

You are one step away from focusing on what matters most: your design. Start your free trial today and watch this space for more!

How to export object information to Google Earth with Plex.Earth

When it comes to your design, the devil is in the details. Plex.Earth 4 allows you to export even the most complex 3D models to Google Earth and visualize materials like bricks and textures.

You can even add object data to your elements (both as plain text and in an HTML format), which can then be exported to Google Earth with your AutoCAD drawing.

This way you can share information with your colleagues, customers, anyone you want, let everyone understand your designs and take instant feedback, keeping your project on time and on budget.

We’ve put together a detailed tutorial on how to do this in a few simple steps with Plex.Earth 4. Read it here and start your free trial today!

Lineweight options when exporting AutoCAD drawings to Google Earth

Do you want to assign lineweights to the polylines that you export to Google Earth, as KML/KMZ files?

Normally, when you publish elements, they attach to Google Earth in only one size by default (1 Google Earth unit) and they do not change when zooming in or out.

Plex.Earth 4 allows you to define lineweights to your drawings choosing from constant width, multiplier and physical scale.

Read our detailed tutorial for more and start your free trial today!

How to create imagery and terrain corridors with Plex.Earth 4 (roadwork/railroad projects)

Looking to import imagery/terrain along a corridor into AutoCAD for your roadwork or railroad project?

We have prepared a tutorial to show you how to do this, with Plex.Earth 4, easily and quickly: By choosing to import imagery using the “By Path” option, you can decrease the import time significantly and boost your productivity.

Check it out and watch this space for more tutorials and helping materials!

How to connect to the Hellenic Cadastre with Plex.Earth 4

Plex.Earth enables thousands of engineers worldwide to have the complete 3D geographical view of their project sites within minutes, through Google Earth, Bing Maps, OpenstreetMap or any other WMS provider.

For those based in Greece, we have prepared a tutorial to show you how to connect to the Hellenic Cadastre with Plex.Earth 4, easily and quickly.

The Hellenic Cadastre records the legal, technical and other additional details about real estate properties and the rights on them, meaning that every person or legal entity that owns a real property or a registrable right on real property is obliged to submit a declaration to the service.

Due to the non-proper spatial representation of real estates mostly in rural areas, the submission of a dependent topographic diagram is required.

Thanks to Plex.Earth’s integration with the Web Map Service (WMS) of the Hellenic Cadastre, every land surveyor and civil engineer can have the real-world representation of a land property.

Also, with Plex.Earth’s 4 powerful mosaic tools, you can import hundreds of high-resolution images into AutoCAD from the service and merge them into one in few minutes, covering even the largest areas.

You can read our tutorial here and try Plex.Earth 4 for free today!

Plex.Earth is featured on DigitalGlobe's official blog

Data is the new oil, don’t you think? We firmly believe so!

Our new partnership with Bird.i is based on our shared vision to bring the value of the most up-to-date satellite imagery to businesses of any size for better -informed decision making (you can read our joint press release and visit our page for more information).

Corentin Guillo, Bird.i CEO, has written a great guest post on DigitalGlobe company blog about our partnership, explaining the real value it brings to the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry.

DigitalGlobe is a leading provider of high-resolution Earth imagery, data and analysis, owning and operating an agile and sophisticated constellation of
high--resolution commercial Earth imaging satellites.

Read the guest post here and watch this space for more news and updates regarding this powerful partnership.