---
title: "Basic Tutorial | Create an ortho-image and import it in AutoCAD"
slug: "cyclone-3dr-exercise-import-an-ortho-image-in-autocad"
updated: 2026-09-07T11:51:23Z
published: 2026-09-07T11:51:23Z
canonical: "rcdocs.leica-geosystems.com/cyclone-3dr-exercise-import-an-ortho-image-in-autocad"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://rcdocs.leica-geosystems.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Basic Tutorial | Create an ortho-image and import it in AutoCAD

## Create the ortho-image

> [!TIP]
> Open the file **FrontageOrthoImage.3dr** ([download](https://www.cyclone3dr.com/download_helper.php?File=Cyclone3DRSampleData/FrontageOrthoImage.3dr)).

Launch the command [Extract OrthoImage](/v1/docs/cyclone-3dr-extractorthoimagec) and select Elevation view for the **OrthoImage mode**.

Give the 3 points as described in the picture below to define the frontage to map (ensure XYZ mode is enabled in the toolbar). The 3 points can be clicked accurately in orbit orthographic camera mode or given by coordinates.

![7500f65f-01ac-4909-9428-ba438c0e05a3.png](https://cdn.document360.io/820e11db-8ed5-45ae-ac86-f6b77dcb2aa7/Images/Documentation/7500f65f-01ac-4909-9428-ba438c0e05a3.png)

Now, you can adjust the defined box to capture exactly what you need. This is possible either through the scene by editing the limit box (in 3D frame view) or through the dialog box by editing the **size**, the **depth**, and the **top left corner**. To keep horizontal lines, horizontal in the orthoimage, it is advised not to modify **Horizontal** parameter.

You can activate the **Preview** to visualize the changes in real time.

![aa5e0064-8c4b-430c-9a3a-64ed67ae0b0d.png](https://cdn.document360.io/820e11db-8ed5-45ae-ac86-f6b77dcb2aa7/Images/Documentation/aa5e0064-8c4b-430c-9a3a-64ed67ae0b0d.png)

Set the image properties parameters as below:

- **Pixel size**: 0.01 m,
- **Point/Line magnification:** 1,
- **Background color**: white.

Then **Save image** as a picture file.In the dialog **Select the destination file...**, enter **orthoimage** as file nameand choose **jpeg** as file format.

Two files have been created:

- orthoimage.jpg: the picture
- orthoimage.txt: the georeferencing file

## Insert the image in AutoCAD

> [!CAUTION]
> Warning  
> 
> Choose counterclockwise either **Decimal Degrees** or **Radians** and **Meters** as Drawing Units (enter **UNITS** in the command line prompt or launch **Units** from the menu **Format**).

> [!TIP]
> Open **orthoimage.txt** with a text editor like Notepad and an empty file with AutoCAD.

From AutoCAD, enter **IMAGEATTACH** in the command line prompt and select **orthoimage.jpg**

> [!TIP]
> Tip & Trick  
> 
> You can also add a **Raster Image Reference...** from the menu **Insert...** or from the ribbon.

1. Uncheck all the options as below.
2. Then copy-paste the insertion point from **orthoimage.txt** (see the **Autocad import** section) to **Insertion point** group.
3. Do the same for the **Scale** and set the **Rotation** to **0**.
4. Validate with **OK.**

![b243bb41-06fc-4352-a6ac-99b651850cce.png](https://cdn.document360.io/820e11db-8ed5-45ae-ac86-f6b77dcb2aa7/Images/Documentation/b243bb41-06fc-4352-a6ac-99b651850cce.png)

## Rotate the image in AutoCAD

Now, it is necessary to rotate the image.

> [!CAUTION]
> Warning  
> 
> If more than 1 rotation is needed, remember that a first rotation along an axis will modify the 2 other axes.

If rotation Z is not 0,

1. enter **ROTATE3D** in the command line,
2. select the image,
3. select the Z axis direction,
4. select bottom left corner in image object and copy-paste **rotation Z.**

Then if rotation X is not 0,

1. enter **ROTATE3D** in the command line,
2. select the image,
3. use **the bottom left and bottom right points of the image object** to define the rotation axis (X' axis)
4. copy-paste **rotation X.**

Finally, if rotation Y is not 0,

1. enter **ROTATE3D** in the command line,
2. select the image,
3. use **the bottom left and top left points of the image object** to define the rotation axis (Y" axis)
4. copy-paste **rotation Y.**

**Command line prompt**

Bash

```plaintext
Command: ROTATE3D
Current positive angle: ANGDIR=counterclockwise ANGBASE=0
Select objects: 1 found
Specify first point on axis or define axis by
[Object/Last/View/Xaxis/Yaxis/Zaxis/2points]: z
Specify a point on the Z axis <0,0,0>:
Specify rotation angle or [Reference]: 179.2574996998036

Command: ROTATE3D
Current positive angle: ANGDIR=counterclockwise ANGBASE=0
Select objects: 1 found
Specify first point on axis or define axis by
[Object/Last/View/Xaxis/Yaxis/Zaxis/2points]: Specify second point on axis:
Specify rotation angle or [Reference]: 90
```

Now the OrthoImage is inserted in 3d in AutoCAD scene.