Gooogle map not displayed in viewport

[Rojee_Byanju]

Hi,

I am trying to add google map in Civil 3D. Coordinate system has been assigned and aerial map is turned on but map is not displayed in my screen. It shows that red star like sign on the screen. 

Can anyone help me on this please?

Thanks

[Pointdump]

Hi Rojee,
Please post your drawing.
Dave

[NateSarles]

Rojee,

That red "Star" or "wagon wheel" as I have heard it called, is simply a marker for the 0,0 coordinates. This means that the linework you have there is very near 0,0.

Usually, that means that the linework might not be placed in the correct location. If you turn the map on and then zoom out a lot you will probably notice your map image is somewhere far away from that linework.

If you can figure out the issue from the help received on these forums, please mark the solution as such!

[ChicagoLooper]

Hi @Rojee_Byanju 

That red thingy is a GEOPSPATIAL MARKER and represents the theoretical the center of the Grid you've assigned to modelspace.

Image-1

In other words, the 'Grid' represents the CENTER of the vertical and horizontal lines in your assigned coordinate system. No, it doesn't represent the 0,0 point or the origin, it's the center the map's Projection. 

For example, if I assign Illinois State Plane, NAD83, East Zone, feet, aka EPSG 3534 to my drawing and turn on Bing Map, it would look like this. The geospatial marker is the middle of the coordinate system's grid projection and the dark area in the upper right of the aerial is Lake Michigan.

Image-2

If I zoom-in tight, really really close, I'll be able to see something like this: Wrigley Field, home of the Cubs. 

Image-3

And......if I go to Geolocation tab=>Online Map Panel=>Mark Position Dropdown=>Point, I can insert a GEOMARKER on second base. FYI, the Geomarker is useful if I want to display BOTH the Lat/Long degrees and the X,Y coordinates in Feet, simultaneously. 

<<As long as my drawing has a PROPERLY ASSIGNED A COORDINATE SYSTEM, I can determine a point's Lat/Long coordinates in degrees. This is TRUE even though I've assigned a coordinated system of Illinois State Plane, NAD83, East Zone, feet.>>

Despite my drawing units of FEET, the Geomarker is capable of displaying geospatial Lat/Long position in DEGREES and X,Y position in FEET. You can verify Wrigley Field's second base Lat/Long position by adding a pushpin to Google Earth Pro  (Lat/Long highlighted Green) to see whether if it lands on second base.

Image-4

If you can't SEE your image in your viewport, it's likely you didn't PROPERLY  assign a coordinate system. (BTW, it should be a Bing image, not 'Gooogle Map' image, unless you're using 3RD party software to bring Google's imagery).

You can easily perform the TEST below to see whether your drawing is properly georeferenced.

1. Open a brand new, clean drawing.
2. Assign your coordinate system. Do NOT add, draw, or create any linework! Keep this drawing clean. Zoom-OUT until you see the red Geospatial marker. If you don't assign a projected coordinate system then you won't be able to turn on Bing Aerial imagery. Do not skip step 2.
3. Go to Geolocation Tab=>Online Map Panel=> Change Map OFF to Bing Hybrid and wait for the Bing logo to appear in lower right corner of modelspace. The logo means you are connected to Bing's Server.
4. Zoom-IN on Bing imagery. Use AutoCAD's Pan and Zoom commands and navigate to your site using Bing labels as your guide. (You may draw a circle that roughly surrounds your site if you wish.)
5. From your original drawing, perform Copy-and Paste. COPY all objects from your original drawing to the clipboard making sure to use 0,0 as the basepoint. Go to your NEW drawing and PASTE the contents of your clipboard--be sure to paste to 0,0.

If your pasted linework is consistent with Bing imagery, then your original drawing is properly georeferenced. If your linework lands far away from the correct Bing imagery location, then there are two possibilities. Which possibility is correct is unknown unless you upload your original drawing for diagnosis. Possibilities are:

1. Your original drawing was NOT georeferenced properly (or not georeferenced at all).
2. You didn't assign the correct coordinate system in step 2 above and you need to replace it with another one.

[ChicagoLooper]

@Rojee_Byanju 

The image you uploaded in Post #1 looks like an image captured from modelspace. It would be helpful to see a second image that captures your linework as it appears on a Layout Tab with the viewport activated and your cursor visible 'inside' the viewport.

[lim.wendy]

Hi Rojee,

Thanks for submitting your question in our Civil 3D forum! 

I see you are visiting as a new member of the Civil 3D forum. Welcome!

I see the experts have already explained why you might not be seeing the aerial imagery and how to get the geolocation function working. To recap, loading a new template and following their instructions should do the trick. Once you have the geolocation function working, you can use the same steps to set up your preferred coordinate system.

If you continue to have trouble after following the instructions, share your drawing, and feel free to ask for further clarification or post any additional questions you may have. We're here to help!

If they helped solve your issue, consider hitting the "Accept Solution" button. This helps others searching for similar problems find the answer quicker. It also lets our community know which topics are resolved and which still need attention. Plus, it's a great way to show appreciation to the person who helped you!

[Rojee_Byanju]

Hi,

I followed all steps as you mentioned but still not displayed......and "Bing logo" is not shown in my modelspace. 

Thanks

[Pointdump]

Rojee,
Please post your drawing.
Dave

[ChicagoLooper]

@Rojee_Byanju 

What coordinate system did you assign to your drawing?