Place Google Earth Image

This command inserts a geo-referenced image into the drawing using the Google Earth imagery server. This command requires an internet connection. In order to automatically place the geo-referenced image in the drawing, the drawing must also be geo-referenced by defining the grid projection in the Settings > Drawing Setup command. If the drawing isn't geo-referenced, you still can place the image by manually picking the location.

The command starts by prompting for the image file to create. The Google Earth image will be saved to this file name and then inserted into the drawing.

Next the program prompts to pick the area in the drawing for the image. You can either screen pick two points to window the area for the image, or use the Map option to graphically set the image area. In the Map dialog, use the mouse wheel to zoom in/out and click-n-drag the mouse to pan. You can also enter a place name or address in the Search field to set the view.
Then there is an options dialog.

Resolution: controls the size of the image file. The Preview window shows the number of pixels for the currently selected Resolution.
Map Type: selects the type of image to create.
Bounds: shows the currently selected area in decimal lat/lon. Pick the Set button to pick a new area in the drawing.
File: the image file to create.
Layer: sets the layer for the image in the drawing.
Place in background: sets the display order for the image to back.

Note:

• Once an image has been inserted into the CAD drawing, it may be helpful to create an associated "world" file for the image in case it needs to be re-inserted into the active drawing (or an alternate drawing). Creating a "world" file assists with this task. To generate a world file, please reference the Create by Image in Drawing command.
• Once the image has been inserted into the CAD drawing, it may be helpful to control its "display order" by using the View > Display Order > Order by Layer command or View > Display Order > Send to Back command.
• The Place Google Earth Image routine fetches aerial imagery in real-time from the Google servers and requires an Internet connection to proceed.

Prompts

Select Output File Choose image file name to create
Pick from Screen or use Map [<Screen>/Map]? press Enter
Pick first corner of bounding box: Identify one corner of a drawing window that should be used to set the Google Earth display
Pick second corner of bounding box: Identify the opposite corner of a drawing window that should be used to set the Google Earth display
Place Google Earth Image dialog

See Also:

• To import KML or KMZ content into your drawing, use the Import Google Earth File command.
• To export content from your drawing to a KML or KMZ file, use the Export Google Earth File command.

Pulldown Menu Location: Images
Keyboard Command: google_image
Prerequisite: Coordinate projection system, Internet connection