Importing OpenStreetMap Maps into AutoCAD (DWG)

2026-03-01

autocaddwgdxfengineeringCAD

AutoCAD is the standard in architecture and construction. Its built-in tools for working with geographic data, however, are limited. The osm2cdr.ru service solves this problem: export any OpenStreetMap area to the DWG format and get a ready-made base layer for design work.

What you get

The DWG map file contains separate layers:

Roads — the road network with classification (highways, streets, footways).
Buildings — building outlines as closed polylines.
Water — rivers, lakes and water bodies.
Green — parks, public gardens and woodland.
Railways — railway tracks and stations.

Step-by-step instructions

On osm2cdr.ru, select the design area. For an architectural base layer, the «detailed» detail level (up to 5,000 km²) or «maximum» (up to 500 km²) works best.
Choose the DWG format. If you need compatibility with older versions of AutoCAD, choose DXF.
If needed, specify the coordinate reference system (CRS). For Russia, all MSK zones are available (122 CRS).
Download the file and open it in AutoCAD. The ZOOM E command will show the entire map.
Scale the drawing with the SCALE command if you need a specific scale.

Working with layers

All map objects are distributed across AutoCAD layers. Control their visibility through the Layer Properties panel. You can freeze unneeded layers and change colours and line types. Buildings are exported as closed polylines — you can use them to calculate areas with the AREA command.

Coordinate reference systems

By default, the map is exported in WGS 84 (EPSG:4326). For construction projects in Russia, we recommend using a local coordinate reference system — osm2cdr.ru offers 122 MSK zones for all federal subjects of Russia.

When to choose DXF instead of DWG

DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) is a text-based format compatible with all CAD systems: nanoCAD, BricsCAD, KOMPAS-3D, FreeCAD. If you do not work in AutoCAD, choose DXF.