As I’m sure most of my readers are aware, with the 2013 release, the ability to import images from Google Earth was not included. The fine folks at Autodesk have been working on getting us a replacement and this is it (at least for imaging). When you are in a drawing that is georeferenced (the tutorial file “Intro-1.dwg” works if you want to test it out) all you have to do is turn on the image.
In the drawing (with the assigned coordinate system), simply go to the Geolocation tab on the ribbon and choose the Online Map type you want.
Map Type
You’ll need to log in to your Autodesk account (if you don’t have one, they’re free) and agree to the terms, etc. etc. Once you’ve done this, your image just shows up (provided you have a decent internet connection). Nothing too new here, we’ve been able to do this for a while (see my other posts HERE and HERE).
So, what’s new in 2015, THEY PLOT!!!!!
Ok, so there’s another step you have to take before they’ll plot but it’s not difficult, you have to capture an area. Once the imagery has been displayed in your drawing, go back to the Geolocation tab and choose “Capture Area”.
Capture Area
After you have captured the area, a new object type will be created, a GEOMAPIMAGE or “Map Image” as it’s displayed on the ribbon when selected. This object will plot as you can see in this plot preview:
Plot Preview
Another really cool thing about the GEOMAPIMAGE is, if you edit the image extents, the image will update. Simply select the image frame, adjust a grip, and the image updates. Additionally, if you need a better resolution or less resolution, when you select the image, you’ll have those options on the Ribbon.
Image Options
Oh, and by the way, this isn’t really a Civil 3D feature, this is a core AutoCAD feature!
Civil 3D Plus 
June 3, 2014 at 2:20 am
excuse me
can I import surface or terrain from google (or another free application) just like in Civil3D 2012 by not use add-on or extendtion tool
thank you – user from Thailand
very best blog for learning Civil3D Thank You very much
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June 5, 2014 at 7:35 pm
Nope. Out of the box Civil 3D 2015 doesn’t give you the tools to bring terrain in from Google Earth. Search for “Aster GDEM”. There is a lot of free terrain data available for the entire planet.
September 10, 2014 at 1:01 pm
Is there a way to take the 2015 image and import it into lesser versions of civil 3d? I have not found a way
September 17, 2014 at 7:04 am
Not that I’m aware of.
January 7, 2015 at 2:14 am
Is it possible to capture map image in student version of civil 3d 2015, i have student version so when in click capture nothing happens, thans
January 8, 2015 at 8:21 pm
It should be. As far as I know, there is no difference in functionality between the student version and the standard version. Just make sure you’re using 2015 as that functionality doesn’t exist in 2014.
July 22, 2015 at 9:59 pm
Can we work in Easting and Northing Grid System instead off Lat Long in Civil 3D?
August 14, 2015 at 8:11 pm
Absolutely. Simply assign the coordinate system you want to the drawing and away you go.
October 22, 2015 at 7:21 am
I have done this. However I find that my image is accurate around my orientation marker. the further I move away from the marker the less accurate I am. Any ideas apart from creating a new marker as I plot different areas?
November 1, 2015 at 10:35 pm
If you aren’t on a known coordinate system, the only thing I can think of is to download some imagery and use raster design to rubber sheet it into place.
June 4, 2017 at 1:53 pm
Where are the captured images from bing saved?using the geolocation tool, I wanted to copy and paste them in another drawing
August 4, 2017 at 8:37 pm
The images are stored in the drawing and can’t be transferred to any other source short of printing or screen capturing.