GeoRefImg - georeferencing raster images in AutoCAD

Place raster image maps automatically, create georeference world files

GeoRefImg - georeferencing tools for plain AutoCAD

GeoRefImg is a LISP utility for AutoCAD 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 (plus Architecture, Mechanical, MEP) which can automatically reposition raster images used in a drawing to the position defined in the images' World files. World files define geo-position and other parameters of a raster image (TIF, CIT, JPG, JP2, PNG, GIF, BMP, ECW, SID...).

Besides the Windows version, there is also a GeoRefImgMac.fas file for AutoCAD for Mac (in the distribution ZIP).

Setup:

Load this utility with _APPLOAD.

For AutoCAD 2012/2013/2014...: automatically install GeoRefImg from Apps Exchange, or copy the whole "GeoRefImg.bundle" folder as a subfolder to:

or (XP):

or (Win11/Win10/Win8/Win7/Vista):

-- GeoRefImg will be loaded automatically (see _APPAUTOLOADER)

Usage:

Start GeoRefImg by typing the GEOREFIMG command. GeoRefImg prompts to select objects (existing images) and then performs the repositioning and scaling controlled by the World files (TFW, TFWx, JGW, JPW, PGW, GFW, BPW, SDW, EWW, WLD...). World files are searched in the folders of the original raster file. So you always need two files - the image and the world file. Use full paths for images (REFPATHTYPE=2).

The additional command WORLDOUT can create a new world file from an existing positioned image. Rotated images are supported since version 2.5.

The additional command IMAGESATTACH can attach multiple images at once (one below one). Available since version 3.1.

Since V3.2 you can use the AGRI command (toggle) to enable a reactor which will try to georeference images automatically right after you attach them using a standard AutoCAD command. You can preset the autoreference mode ON with:

(setq _georefimg_agri T)

GEOREFIMG checks the format of the world file and refuses to update images with "suspect" world files. You can control the tolerance (precision) and some of the pre-flight checks:

(setq GeoRefCheckTol 0.03)
(setq GeoRefCheckIgnore T)

GeoRefImg communicates in English, Czech or Hungarian (auto-switched).

Related tips:

• Georeferenced images also in plain AutoCAD
• How to reconstruct a world file from a raster image?
• Using GeoRefImg on GeoTIFF raster files (embedded world info)

NB:
* Rotation defined in the world file (rarely used) is applied only since GeoRefImg version 1.5
* GeoRefImg does not handle georeference information embedded directly in raster files (e.g. GeoTiff, some ECW files).
* GeoRefImg is useful even in AutoCAD Map and Civil3D (already contain georeferencing) as WorldOut works there.

History

• 3.3 - Support for AutoCAD 2024/2025
• 3.2 - AGRI reactor to georeference images automatically after IMAGEATTACH
• 3.1 - New command IMAGESATTACH can attach multiple images in one go
• 3.0 - Support for AutoCAD 2021, Hungarian localization (Magyar), small fixes
• 2.9 - Support for AutoCAD 2017/2018/2019/2020, JPGW and WLD world files
• 2.8 - Czech localization, cosmetic fixes
• 2.7 - Fixed loading of alternative JPW and TFWx files; limited Mac version of GeoRefImg
• 2.6 - Handles cases when the World file is inaccessible.
• 2.5 - WorldOut support for rotated images, pre-flight checks.
• 1.9 - Converted for AutoCAD Exchange (AutoCAD 2012).

Freeware License

GEOREFIMG is a free utility by CAD Studio (ARKANCE), do not publish it online on other than CADstudio's web servers. Contact CAD Studio for feature enhancements.

Download the free GeoRefImg application (for AutoCAD 2025-2004)