RealTopo and Transparent RealTopo

Before You Get Started
You'll soon discover that using Gecko Software's RealTopo makes using USGS topo and Aerial photography in AutoCAD fast and simple. Please take a few minutes to review the following information, and please print out this page for reference.

If you have any problems or need further assistance please call.
(520) 299-5247

Installing the RealTopo Program
The RealTopo AutoLisp program georeferences the RealTopo files. This program correctly inserts and scales the topo image for AutoCAD.

Load RealTopo in AutoCAD 14

  1. Download RealTopo for AutoCAD 14 Unzip the file.
  2. Before starting AutoCAD. Copy the contents of the zipped file (RealTopo14.lsp, rlthlp.ahp, rltdlg.dcl) to your AutoCAD support directory.
  3. Start AutoCAD from the Tools menu select Load Application. Click the File button, and highlight the RealTopo14.lsp file from your Files to Load list, and click ok. (This file should be in your AutoCAD support folder).

Important Note: The important key to installing RealTopo is putting the AutoLisp programs somewhere AutoCAD can find them. They can be placed in any directory as long as it is listed in AutoCADs support path. For further information on setting support paths in AutoCAD see your AutoCAD documentation.

Load RealTopo in AutoCAD 2000 or 2002

  1. Download the RealTopo for AutoCAD 2000. Unzip the file.
  2. Start AutoCAD from the Tools menu select Load Application. Click the File button, and browse and highlight RealTopo2000.vlx from your Files to Load list, and click ok. (The *.VLX file does not need to be in your AutoCAD support folder or listed in AutoCAD support path).

Using RealTopo or PhotoTopo
RealTopo program inserts the raster image of the RealTopo Quad or the PhotoTopo Aerial Photograph onto the default layer.

Inserting RealTopo Files

  1. With the RealTopo.lsp program loaded type the command RT or (RealTopo) at the Command line.
  2. In the dialog box select the file to insert.
    Select Clip to Boundaries Yes or No. Clip to boundaries to seamlessly join multiple maps.
  3. Select coordinate system from the coordinate list.
  4. Push OK to insert the RealTopo.
  5. Once the image is loaded into AutoCAD 14 the image can be overlaid with your CAD, GIS or GPS drawings.

RealTopo Dialog Box

Using Transparent RealTopo
Transparent RealTopo is inserted with the RealTopo program. When inserted into AutoCAD the transparent pixels will appear grey. To make the transparent pixels see-thru use the AutoCAD command Transparent. This command can be accessed through the Image submenu. Change the transparent image to Transparent On.

  1. Insert the image using the RealTopo program. See inserting Realtopo Files. Images inserted into AutoCAD are inserted with transparency off. Images will appear solid with the transparent pixels grey.
  2. To turn on transparency use the Transparent command. The Transparent command can be accessed through the Image submenu, to change the image to Transparent On.

These simple instructions should get you up and running, but if you have any questions please call (520) 299-5247.