How to Use the PDF Overlay Feature


The ability to overlay PDF files on your drone surveys can help simplify project planning, spot inconsistencies between the design and current survey, and visualize progress towards the final design. 

Import PDF

Click the IMPORT A DESIGN button from the DESIGNS tab.

Designs Import a Design.png

Drag and drop (or navigate to) the PDF file you want to overlay on your site map.

Please note: If you have a multi-page PDF, only the first page will be imported. If you would like to add all the PDF pages, make sure to save those pages individually and import them into the Platform.

Your PDFs will be available in the DESIGNS tab. However, you must first turn the layer on and georeference it before you can visualize it on the map.

Georeference PDF overlay

Once you have imported the PDF, you must georeference it to the survey. 

Click the three dots to the right of the PDF Page 1 and choose Overlay on map.


If needed, click on the arrow on the left side of the split-screen view to expand your view.

Pick easily identified points in the PDF and the map to make georeferencing easy and accurate.

First, click on the chosen features or reference points in the PDF, then click on the location of that point on the map to lock that control point in place. Once finished, click DONE in the bottom right corner.

Two control points are usually sufficient when georeferencing PDFs. However, if you want to use three, toggle on 3 CONTROL POINTS in the top left corner of the PDF.

To adjust the PDF overlay, click on the three dots to the right of the PDF Page 1 overlay and choose Overlay on map. You can also adjust the opacity of the PDF and the PDF text from here.

Overlay PDF on Map Adjust overlay and opacity.png

To adjust the PDF page background, slide the selector to the desired opacity. 100 is a solid background, while 0 will remove the background entirely.

Similarly, slide the selector to change the opacity of the PDF text.

Overlay PDF on Map Adjust Opacity Slider.png

The EXPORT PDF MAP feature is currently not supported with PDF overlays.


I still can't do it!

We wrote these articles to equip you with everything you need to get the job done on your own, but we understand that sometimes this isn't sufficient.

If you're stuck, you can connect with our support team by clicking the support button on the top right corner of your user portal.