Slides used in an EDINA webinar in February 2013. Covers the use of Ordnance Survey map data from Digimap in AutoCAD, including: available data, formats, conversion tools and the web map streaming service, Digimap OpenStream.

1. Using data from Digimap in AutoCAD
• What OS data is available that works in AutoCAD?
• OS MasterMap data
• Desktop sharing:
– Importing OS MasterMap data to AutoCAD Map 3D
– Resources

2. Data Download services
• Users can download a
wide range of OS map
data products in Data
Download
• MasterMap Download is
for OS MasterMap data
in GML (vector) format
• Boundary Download
provides OS postcode
and boundary lines
•From 5th Feb, all available in Data Download – all
services will continue to be available for a period

3. Data Download
• Data Download
has 5 categories of
data
• Click + or on
Category name to
open

4. Data Download – OS Collection
3 step process:
1.Select area
2. Select map data
products
3. Add to basket
(format, layer and
version options
available)

5. Data Download basket

6. Data Download basket

7. Map data formats
Format Compatibility
SHP Shape file, ArcGIS format
MIF/MID MapInfo format
NTF National Transfer format, non-proprietary
GML Geography Markup Language
DXF Drawing Exchange Format, AutoCAD
TIFF Raster data format

8. Formats and conversion guidance
http://digimap.edina.ac.uk/webhelp/os/data_information/data_formats/new_data_translators

9. Backdrop mapping
•Largest scale at top
•Raster data all supplied in TIFF
image format, with a TFW file
•TIFF World Files contains
location, scale and rotation of
TIFF map. Keep in same folder
as TIFF
•No conversion requirements

10. Backdrop mapping
• Information boxes
indicate:
– Scale
– Format availability
– Version
– Data Allowance
– Terms of use
• Version and format can
be changed in order
Basket, under options

11. Land and Height data
•PROFILE 1:10000, created
2009. Contours at 5m intervals
with spot heights.
•PANORAMA 1:50000, created
1996. Contours at 10m
intervals with spot heights.
•DTM – Digital terrain model –
3D representation of terrain
surface.

12. Land and Height data
• Contours, Panorama
available in DXF, NTF
formats
• DTMs available in DXF,
NTF, ASC, TIFF
• DXF AutoCAD format
• Can also use TIFF and
ASC formats in AutoCAD

13. Vector Data
• Formats available for products not
consistent, e.g.:
– VectorMapLocal – GML, SHP
– Strategi – SHP, DXF, TAB, NTF, MIFMID
• SHP available for all vector maps,
except Meridian 2 Tiles (NTF, DXF)

14. OS Vector Map Local data
• Suitable for 1:3000 to
1:20000 viewing
• Available in OS Collection
Data Download – GML
format:
1. Direct import of GZ file to
AutoCAD via Insert >
Map Import
2. Convert to SHP or TAB
with Rolta Vector Map
Loader

15. Rolta Vector Map Loader
• Free download:
http://www.rolta-europe.com/osvector.html
• Converts OS VectorMap Local to SHP or TAB formats

16. Shape files
• Shape files can be used in AutoCAD.
• Remember to keep all constituent parts together - SHP, DBF,
SHX:

17. Map Import
• Map Import function allows you to import external
file formats

18. Map Import
• Many map data products from Digimap Collections are available
in formats that can be imported to AutoCAD Map 3D, e.g. SHP,
MIF/MID, TAB, GML

19. SDF
• SDF is a native Autodesk file-based geospatial format that is
optimized for storing large, classified data sets.
• SDF is similar to SHP format in that it contains both spatial
data and attribute data. However, unlike SHP, it stores both
types of data in a single file rather than a set of files.

20. Connect to data
• AutoCAD offers
ability to
connect to a
feature source,
such as
databases, files
(SHP, SDF),
web servers
(e.g.
OpenStream)

21. Connect to data
• Smaller DWG file – stores connection and style, not data
• Easier to share data

22. Export options
• Not tied to
AutoCAD formats

23. Export options

24. OS MasterMap data
• AutoCAD users generally
interested in large scale
(very detailed) data
• Largest scale data in
Digimap is OS MasterMap –
available in Data Download
– GML format
– TIFF format
• Digimap Help pages - detail
how to use MasterMap
data in AutoCAD

25. OS MasterMap layers

26. OS MasterMap data in AutoCAD – GML format
Using OS MasterMap in AutoCAD:
1. Later versions of AutoCAD (post-2008) – built-in MasterMap Importer,
accepts GZip file (in data download file from Digimap)
2. Earlier versions of AutoCAD (pre-2008) or other CAD packages without a
MasterMap importer – Convert to DXF or DWG with InterpOse

27. MasterMap Download file
• Data is delivered in GZip file - GML data within the
GZip

28. MasterMap download file
• Here we have extracted the GML file from the Gzip
file…not always necessary to do this, e.g. AutoCAD
2010 and later can import the GZip file

29. 1. Direct import of GZip file to AutoCAD
• First, load a template file from the Autodesk website
• Import the GML data
• Update the data to the style within the template files
What is the template file? From the AutoDesk website:
– ‘This is a drawing template file (dwt) that stores the classification
definitions for OS Mastermap data. Using this template allows users to
quickly visualise MasterMap data using suggested OS colour
standards’.
• Can also load the GML directly, without a template…then set
own style

30. Step 1 - Download the DWT drawing template file
http://www.autodesk.co.uk/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=452932&id=7986

31. Step 2 – Load template file in AutoCAD Map 3D

32. Step 3 – Load GZip file in AutoCAD Map 3D

33. Step 4 – Create object data for points, lines and polygons

34. Step 5 – Update Topographic layers
• Right click on
Topographic layer >
Update
• Adds symbolisation to
the data

35. Step 6 – View data

36. Digimap help pages

37. 2. Convert to DXF or DWG with InterpOse
• Earlier versions of
AutoCAD (pre-2008) or
other CAD packages
without a MasterMap
importer – Convert to
DXF or DWG with
InterpOse

38. InterpOse Digimap edition
•Free download, which
converts MasterMap
GML data to DXF or
DWG formats
•InterpOse accepts
GZip files for
conversion
http://www.dottedeyes.co.uk

39. InterpOse Digimap Edition
• Point the
convertor to the
contents
order.txt file
received with
your MasterMap
download file
from Digimap

40. InterpOse - Convert to DXF
• Load the data into a MasterMap template file –
supplied by InterpOse

41. InterpOse – Convert to DXF
• Location of InterpOse MasterMap template file

42. InterpOse – DXF output
• Output is 1 DXF file, which can be opened in AutoCAD

43. Desktop sharing
1. Open MM template file (DWT)
2. Import GZip OS MasterMap data
3. Export the MasterMap data as SDF file
4. Connect to SDF layer
5. Connect to Profile DTM (TIFF)
6. Create more detailed contour layer, using the TIFF
DTM
7. Show resources

44. OpenStream
• Free with .ac.uk
email address
• Stream following
OS map data
direct to GIS:
• MiniScale®
• 1:250,000 Scale
Colour Raster
• OS Vector Map™
District (Raster)
• OS Street View®
• http://openstream.ed

45. Digimap OpenStream

46. Digimap OpenStream API key
• Add my API key to the OpenStream
URL:
http://openstream.edina.ac.uk/openst
ream/wms?token=[your_apikey]
• Setup this URL in AutoCAD – Display
Manager > Data > Connect to Data >
Add WMS Connection

47. Digimap Resource Centre

48. Context sensitive help pages

49. YouTube

50. How to guides

51. eLearning Units

52. eLearning units
• No prior
knowledge of
topics assumed
• Units 1-3: estimate
2 hours
completion time
• Unit 4 – 1 hour