: Select a point in your workspace (like 0,0) and specify the North direction to align the map.

Best for: Small sites, simple shapes, or when you only need a rough outline.

A common workflow involves using online tools that track coordinates from Google Maps. A user can trace a road or a boundary in a web-based application, which then generates a .KML (Keyhole Markup Language) file. Since AutoCAD does not natively import .KML files efficiently, an intermediate step is often required to convert the .KML file into a .DXF (Drawing Exchange Format). Once imported, these lines become true AutoCAD objects, possessing coordinates and properties that can be modified, layered, and analyzed. This method bridges the gap between the visual map and the technical drawing, allowing engineers to calculate cut-and-fill volumes or align road profiles based on real-world infrastructure.