Here at Ideate, we’ve run into a couple of tech support cases where AutoCAD users are receiving a message stating “Maps cannot be displayed” when trying to access the Geographic Location (GEO) command.
Because the Geographic Location (GEO) command references Online Map Data, users must accept terms of agreement and sign in to A360 to access the feature.
To avoid having to accept the terms every time the command is launched, a user may choose the “Remember My Choice” option. In a few recent cases, the user had selected “No” in this dialog, which declines the Terms of Service and deactivates the Geolocation command.
In this situation, the dialog disappears and AutoCAD automatically defaults to the “No” option for every future use, triggering the “Maps cannot be displayed” message automatically when the command is attempted.
If you’re stuck in this scenario and need to get out, you need to get to the hidden dialog to change your answer to “Yes,” and accept the terms of agreement. You can do this in the Hidden Message Settings; access them through the System tab of the Options dialog.
Located under General Options in the upper right corner, the Hidden Messages Settings icon will open another dialog box that lists any hidden messages within AutoCAD.
Hidden messages are un-checked by default and adding a check in the box next to the message will re-display it in the application, allowing you to change your originally saved choice or be prompted for an answer each time the feature is used. With the Geographic Location (GEO) command, a user can change their answer from “No” to “Yes” and re-activate the feature.
A key thing to note is that the Hidden Messages Settings are session based and not drawing based, so you will need to fully close AutoCAD and re-launch the application. Once AutoCAD has re-launched, the hidden message will appear when the command is used and you may select a new answer (and check the box to hide it again) as needed. Selecting “Yes” should allow maps to be displayed.
In the rare case that changing the option from “No” to “Yes” in the Online Map Data dialog still does not allow Map data to be displayed, the Windows resource folder, where Autodesk’s Web Services* settings are stored, may need to be reset.
The steps for accessing and resetting Web Services are as follows:
- Press WIN + R key to open the Run window.
- Paste %localappdata% to the input box and click OK.
- It will open a file browser; double click on the "Autodesk" folder.
- Find "Web Services" folder and append the name to have "Old" at the end.
- Press WIN + R key to open the Run window.
- Paste %TEMP% to the input box and click OK
- Delete everything in the folder
- Close and relaunch the Autodesk product.
- A360 login status should be reset and appear.
If you or anyone you know is running into the “Maps cannot be displayed” error when trying to use the Geographic Location (GEO) command, hopefully these tips will help you get things back up and running.
*Web Services folder access may require administrative privileges on the system. Contact your IT Administrator or CAD Manager before attempting this process.
For more information on the software solutions, training and consulting Ideate provides, please visit the Ideate, Inc. homepage.
Matt Miyamoto
ENI Manager & Senior Application Specialist
Matt is an ENI Manager and Senior Application Specialist in Ideate, Inc.’s Seattle office. He has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and is a licensed Civil Engineer. Prior to joining Ideate, Matt worked as a civil engineer, using Civil 3D on a variety of projects including site development, roadway improvements and infrastructure design. With over 10 years of experience in the civil engineering industry, Matt now provides training, consulting, technical support, and implementation strategies for organizations transitioning to Civil 3D. Matt is an Autodesk Certified Instructor (ACI), as well as an Autodesk Certified BIM Specialist: Roads and Highway Solutions. Additionally, Matt is and Autodesk Certified Professional for AutoCAD, and AutoCAD Civil 3D. Find Matt on Twitter.