CAD-Earth features for terrain mesh import, editing, and geospatial analysis

CAD-Earth Features

Import images to CAD from different providers in satellite, map or hybrid mode at different resolutions. Explore everything CAD-Earth can do for your projects.

Import high-resolution satellite images from Google Earth, ESRI, and Mapbox to AutoCAD

Import Google Earth™ Images to AutoCAD

Images can be imported from major service providers (Google, Google Earth, Bing, ESRI, Mapbox) in different resolutions — Normal, Medium, High, Highest — and image modes (satellite, map, hybrid) in full color or grayscale in major image formats (BMP, JPEG, TIFF).

  • Up to 256 curvature-corrected image tiles for large areas
  • Multiple image providers: Google, ESRI, Mapbox
  • Preview images before importing for correct placement
  • AI enhancement to improve sharpness and color (up to 4x)
  • Save image within drawing to avoid broken file paths

Export CAD Drawings & Objects to Google Earth™

Export CAD drawings to Google Earth as image overlays in full color, grayscale or B&W. Lines, polylines, arcs, circles and points can be exported as polygons, routes or placemarks. 3D entities contained in regular or nested blocks can also be exported.

  • Export drawings as image overlays with adjustable opacity
  • Export 3D solids, regions, meshes and polymeshes
  • Control line thickness, fill color and curve smoothness
  • Automatic Google Earth startup and object location
  • Export to KML or KMZ files
Export CAD drawings and 3D objects to Google Earth as KML/KMZ files
Import and edit terrain meshes from LiDAR, DEM, GeoTIFF, and LandXML files

Import & Edit Terrain Meshes

Import terrain meshes from Google Earth, LiDAR and DEM files (GeoTIFF, DEM, HGT, E00, MEM), LandXML files, and text XYZ files. Edit the mesh with specialized commands for precision terrain modeling.

  • Import from LiDAR, DEM, GeoTIFF, LandXML and text files
  • Terrain Mesh Explorer for project organization
  • Edit vertices: insert, delete, move, adjust elevation, flatten
  • Invert, delete or cut triangles; insert break lines
  • Profile Viewer with adjustable vertical scale
  • Export terrain mesh to XYZ or GeoTIFF files

Instant Contour Lines & Profiles

Generate contour lines instantly from terrain meshes. Specify vertical separation, layer, color, smoothness factor and label options. Existing contour polylines update automatically when settings change.

  • Customizable contour intervals, colors and labels
  • Dynamic updating when mesh or settings change
  • Profile and sections from mesh with full annotations
  • Station lines with chainage annotations along polylines
  • Elevation, station and scale annotations
Generate instant contour lines and profiles from terrain meshes with customizable intervals
Visualize terrain slope zones with color-coded analysis and elevation ranges

Slope Zone Analysis & Elevation Ranges

Visualize terrain by slope or elevation ranges with customizable color styles. Create, save and reuse predefined visualization styles. Display the mesh as contour lines, points, boundary, slope arrows or a combination.

  • Slope zone legend with percentages and areas by color
  • Elevation range visualization with custom color ramps
  • Predefined styles can be created and saved
  • Multiple visualization modes: contour, points, boundary
  • Slope arrows for direction visualization

Cut & Fill Volume Calculations

Perform earthwork volume calculations by the grid method. Depths between the mesh and a comparison mesh are calculated at every grid intersection inside a defined region. Get detailed Excel reports.

  • Grid method volume calculations with customizable grid
  • Cut/fill area and volume at each grid station
  • Excel reports with shrinkage percent and topsoil depth
  • Customizable grid line type, color, layer and scale
  • Net cut/fill areas and volumes summary
Calculate earthwork cut and fill volumes with detailed Excel reports
Georeference AutoCAD drawings using 3000+ coordinate systems worldwide

Georeferencing & Coordinate Systems

Convert accurately between any coordinate system in the world and Google Earth™. If your drawing is already georeferenced by AutoCAD or Civil 3D, CAD-Earth uses this information automatically.

  • More than 3,000 coordinate systems worldwide
  • Georeference by locating entities on a map
  • Georeference by selecting two known points
  • Preview entity positions on a map before importing
  • Insert georeferenced images with world files

AI-Powered Image Enhancement

Use an AI neural network to improve image resolution, light, and color balance. Images can be enlarged up to 4x times with natural, high-quality results — ideal for large-area coverage and high-precision projects.

  • Up to 4x image resolution enhancement
  • Improved sharpness, color balance and light
  • Works with all supported image providers
  • Faster image preview before importing
  • New in v9: further improved AI algorithms
AI-powered image enhancement for sharpness, color balance, and 4x upscaling

CAD-Earth vs. Competitors

See how CAD-Earth compares to other applications in the market.

Feature CAD-Earth Other Apps
Import curvature-corrected high-resolution tiled images All license types, no extra cost Only in Business/Enterprise at extra cost
Import objects from Google Earth™ or KML/KMZ files Dialog box with full importing options No graphical interface or importing options
Export drawing entities to Google Earth™ KML/KMZ Full dialog with exporting options No interface; points and text can't be exported
Import terrain mesh inside a closed polyline Grid resolution, rotation and mesh properties No graphical interface; limited options
Commands to edit terrain meshes Full set: invert, delete, cut, flatten, move Feature not provided
Import 3D models from file (DAE, 3DS, FBX, OBJ) Full options: units, Z-Up, merge faces Feature not provided
Import terrain mesh from LiDAR and DEM files Mesh properties, refinement options, area selection Feature not provided
Export 3D models to SketchUp (NEW v9) Full 3D model export with options Feature not provided
Cut/fill volume calculations with Excel reports Grid method with full Excel reporting Feature not provided
Pricing Up to 50% more affordable Higher cost