C3D (ACAD) 2026 Geolocation Missing Bing Aerials

[Cadguru42]

So C3D 2026 doesn't have the option to use Bing maps anymore. Only ESRI is available. C3D 2025 had the option to use both and it was nice since Bing's images were sometimes more clear. 

Yet another devolution of C3D for the users by Autodesk. Why does Autodesk keep removing functionality that users want from their products yet continue to charge more.

[J-Porter]

Autodesk, please bring back the Google Earth imagery and surfaces option!!!!!

[user181]

Microsoft is apparently ending Bing Maps? Some info here: https://www.cadforum.cz/en/how-to-connect-bing-maps-in-autocad-2026-and-higher-tip14468 

I typed bing maps ending in copilot and it gave this response:

[tony1978]

it's not really necessary for them to have 2 aerial images software. redundancy 

[AllenJessup]

Is there really a great difference between Bing and ESRI images? I don't use either but the couple of times I turned on Bing imagery I thought it wasn't very good. 

[J-Porter]

The problem I have with Bing imagery is that it has always been a live feed. So if you were to open a project from a few years ago and there has been new construction in that area, then you would see the updated image and not the one you worked on a few years ago.  The quality of the image has always been an issue as well.  As you zoom in the images would get pixelated.  I guess that's because it was free though.  

I'm not an ESRI guru.  I've only used imagery that his been provided to me from others.  I believe that the image quality is based on whoever and whatever equipment was used to capture the image.  Please correct me if I'm wrong.  

[AllenJessup]

---

@J-Porter wrote:

I believe that the image quality is based on whoever and whatever equipment was used to capture the image.  Please correct me if I'm wrong.  

---

Yes. Plus things like what resolution was contracted for and using the proper equipment for that. If Aerial, not Satellite, images the flight altitude also matters. Then there is weather conditions and vegetative cover.

Here's an image we paid for;

And the same area from Bing image.

[Cadguru42]

---

@tony1978 wrote:

it's not really necessary for them to have 2 aerial images software. redundancy 

---

Since the images are different there's no "redundancy". Sometimes one is clearer than the other, sometimes they have different resolutions, photos taken at different times of the year so tree coverage/objects are different, etc. 

The Bing maps had the option to have both the image and names of roadways/features. That's missing from the ESRI options. It's either have a map with names or the image, but not both. 

[J-Porter]

I've been exploring this further.  The ESRI imagery will import just fine.  My only gripes. . .

• The imagery is not sharp.  The Bing imagery was not sharp either, but the ESRI imagery is less sharp than the Bing imagery.  
• The ESRI imagery doesn't have the ability to show the terrain and roads as the Bing imagery does.  

Regardless, it's free and I guess you get what you pay for.  

[RobertEVs]

Got a taste of Nearmap recently. Talk about some major image clarity and very up to date!

Problem is it's 4-figures cost, I think.

[J-Porter]

We utilize Nearmap for projects.  I love it.  I absolutely love the quality of the imagery.  I just want to have something cheap and easy when we are doing quick analysis or prelim work.  That's the only reason we used the Bing imagery or the Google Earth imagery (back in the day).  Then when we got the contract we pay for a Nearmap image.  

[AllenJessup]

Yes. You get what you pay for. The image I posted above is from Eagleview. Both sharper and more expensive than Nearmap.

If Autodesk was using the free enterprise level Bing Maps. They would lose that in another six weeks. Azure Maps looks very expensive. Autodesk might have tried to work a deal with Microsoft. I don't know. They chose ESRI as their best alternative.

[Cadguru42]

---

@AllenJessup wrote:

Yes. You get what you pay for. The image I posted above is from Eagleview. Both sharper and more expensive than Nearmap.

If Autodesk was using the free enterprise level Bing Maps. They would lose that in another six weeks. Azure Maps looks very expensive. Autodesk might have tried to work a deal with Microsoft. I don't know. They chose ESRI as their best alternative.

---

Seems like Autodesk would have at least setup the ESRI integration to allow for hybrid maps. But then again, this is Autodesk we're talking about. A billion dollar software developer that can't get their forums working properly and leave known bugs in their software for decades.

[J-Porter]

Before we witch hunt on Autodesk, let's make sure we place blame where blame is due. Throughout the history of free imagery in Civil 3D the data has always been dependent on the provider.  As much as I miss the Google Earth imagery, the function was removed when Google Earth realized they were not getting any revenue from users because it was supposed to spur the need Google Earth Pro.  The only reason I wish Autodesk to bring them back is because the very next year Google Earth handed Pro licenses for free.  So I wish the talks would start again.  Bing has decided to get out to the game as well, and most likely for revenue purposes too.  Now ESRI is involved and we must understand that we get what ESRI is providing.  If we want more, then there is a paid service behind it.  

I'm not drinking the Kool-Aid here.  I'm just playing fair.  I'm just trying to make sure we all point the finger to the correct culprit(s).  

[ChicagoLooper]

Don't forget......

Bing doesn't own satellites. They don't manufacture satellites nor navigate them as they orbit the Earth. They merely purchase satellite imagery then offer the images through a user friendly interactive app at no cost to users.

The author (or sellers) of that imagery may have, or may have not, placed restrictions on those images regarding who Bing can offer them to, including and up to Autodesk. Can Bing offer them to individual Microsoft users? Can they also offer them to Autodesk who in turn feature that interactive imagery as drawing tool and generate revenue in the process?

You might find the loss of imagery from Bing and Google annoying, but determine first whether Autodesk alone can resolve the problem.

[tcorey]

It does look like Autodesk had a heads-up from Microsoft, that the death of Bing Maps was coming added ESRI for a year, it's good enough, we no longer need Bing Maps, maybe something great like a pay service will come from Azure. And the beat goes on...

[ChicagoLooper]

If you're willing to get a paid service, Near Map is clear, sharp. They use low altitude airplanes, not satellites. According to Near Map, coverage is limited to urban areas and Australia. (It was bought out by an Australian firm about 7 or so years ago, hence good coverage in Australia.) Unfortunately planes may need a flight plan so covering all areas might be an issue, not to mention fuel costs. 

You can also look into Plex Earth, a paid add-on. 

You can access both Google Earth and Azure using Plex. Both have global coverage. Plex some other features too.

 

[AllenJessup]

Bing = Microsoft. Azure = Microsoft. Similar to when Autodesk discontinued Land Development Desktop and replaced it with Civil 3D. The pricing for Azure is on their Website.

[AllenJessup]

I don't know how much Near Map has changed since we considered using them four years ago. At that time they were doing high altitude flights and relying on very high resolution cameras. Eagleview flew low altitude flights. The product was noticeably better. We spent a lot of money because we had them refly our County, which they do every year, and do a one time Lidar surface scan of the same area. 

[neilyj666]

Bing Maps are appearing in this video AutoCAD Based Products 2026 Data Source Images Bing - I don't speak Spanish so don't know what is going on but seems to have had a vanilla AutoCAD patch added