ArcGIS World Imagery - how to enable plotting?

[Anonymous]

Hello, I am using AutoCAD Civil 3D 2020 and just installed the new ArcGIS for AutoCAD (400). The new ArcGIS interface is quite a bit different from the old version that I have used and I can't figure out how to "clip" the aerial photo (and possibly increase the resolution like we can in AutoCAD) so that I can print it. Right now it shows up in my viewport but prints blank.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Liesl

[ChicagoLooper · Accepted solution]

So, you downloaded and installed the free ArcGIS for AutoCAD plug-in. Good for you. You can print World Imagery by doing this:

1. ArcGIS Tab=>Project Panel=>Coordinate System Icon=>Assign Option=>Search for, Select and Assign your coordinate. Then go to Contents Panel=>Contents Button=>ESRI Contents palette will appear on the left.

<< Note: you must ASSIGN your modelspace coordinate system using this icon IN ADDITION TO the coordinate system you have already assigned to your drawing. This means assigning the CS twice: Once using C3D/M3D and again using the ASSIGN option in the ArcGIS tab of the ribbon. The ArcGIS for AutoCAD plug-in, for some bizarre reason, cannot understand Autodesk CS assignment. >>

Image-1

2. Center your view in modelspace. Zoom-in or zoom-out as needed. Next, right click your Imagery Layer, e.g. World Imagery then click EXTRACT from the shortcut menu.

Image-2

3. After a few seconds, you'll get the option to SAVE your image in png format. The extents of your image will be the image as displayed in modelspace. Name and save your image. You don't need to insert or attach this image because ArcGIS for AutoCAD will insert for you. The image will be placed on the current layer as an xref and will appear in the external ref palette. This saved image is printable.

<<Note: you may also perform EXTRACT from a layout tab. The extents of your image will be the image as displayed in your viewport.>>

Image-3

As you already know the image layer shown on the ESRI Table of Contents will not print. You may, if you wish, uncheck the image layer in ESRI Contents. If you wish to print, then the image layer must be on and thawed.

[Anonymous]

FANTASTIC! It was a simple thing to do if you knew where to look! I appreciate your clear and concise instructions. Thank you very much.

Liesl

[migueseda]

Thank you. Id like to know how to improve the quality of the image. Above all in scales such a 1:100, 200, to 1:500, the quality of the photo is poor, very pixelated, there is a way to improve it?

Thanks

[ChicagoLooper]

@migueseda 

Sorry you can’t improve the quality of the image. If you want better resolution you shouldn’t use ESRI imagery from the ARC GIS for AutoCAD.

You can use your favorite search engine, browse the internet, then download an image for your site. Or you can use (or purchase) a third party app. 

Click Featured Apps tab=>App Store panel=>select Connect to App Store. OR click on the shopping cart icon next to your login name. In the app store search ‘IMAGERY.’

 

[kburge35]

OK, this is great info, but what if I want to capture that imagery with the data on top of it?  

Thanks!

KB

[ChicagoLooper]

@kburge35 wrote

<<....I want to capture that imagery with the data on top of it?

What data?

Is the data part of the imagery? Or is it a separate connection from the image?

The question specifically addresses how to 'capture an image.' If you you want to download (capture) data, then provide a detailed explanation of the 'data' you want to DOWNLOAD. Also, upload screenshots showing the your monitor with the data highlighted.

Since you didn't give an explanation, I'm guessing you'll need to download the image itself, then perform a separate download for the data. It would be helpful if you describe the data you want to capture including the format, e.g. shp, geotiff, jpeg, gdb, etc., and the source of your data, e.g. website, name of agency, etc. 

[kburge35]

Ah!  Thanks for your quick reply, let me see if I can describe what I'm trying to do a little better:

We typically bring in document feature layers from the "add data" tab.  These are from ArcGIS drawings (the symbols and lines come directly into CAD, these are technically still live data).  These are the items that presently will not print along with the background map.  We'd love it if we could print them both at once.  Does that make better sense?  

[ChicagoLooper]

@kburge35 

<<….We typically bring in document feature layers from the "add data" tab….>>

What type of ‘connection’ are you bringing in? Can you upload a screenshot of the Data Connect palette? (You can use MAPCONNECT to open the data connect palette.)

What format are the feature data objects? Shapefile, geodatabase, raster, etc, etc? Can you upload a screenshot of the Map Task Pane? (You can use MAPWSPACE to open the map task pane.)

Can you upload a screenshot of modlespace and point out or highlight examples of live objects that fail to print?