Raster images can only be referenced into AutoCAD drawings. If you send the drawing to someone else, you must send the image file also.
See the following Autodesk Tech Docs:
Sending images with a DWG file | Raster files in drawings
So what's this article about? You probably came here because you want to "bind" a raster image. Here are a few ways:
- Insert the image as an OLE object
- In AutoCAD, run the INSERTOBJ command.
- Choose "Create New", then choose "Bitmap Image".
- Next, Windows Paintbrush should open up.
- In Paintbrush, choose the Edit menu, then PasteFrom
- Select your existing image file (JPG, BMP, PNG, TIF, etc.)
- While still in Paintbrush, choose File, then Exit and Return to AutoCAD
- In AutoCAD, run the INSERTOBJ command.
- Use the IMAGE BIND command in Dotsoft ToolPac. This command reads the image (either an image on disk, or one that exists in the drawing) and creates AutoCAD geometry to represent the image.
- Use an standalone program such as Img2CAD. This program will accept most raster images as input, and then output one of the following: DXF, EMF, WMF or HPGL. I tested a 132,000,000 pixel TIFF file and converted it to a DXF. Depending on the options selected, the output DXF was anywhere from 52MB to 96MB in size. Quite large, but the program was able to perform the conversion in about a minute. Not bad for such a large image.
If you know about other options, let me know.
UPDATE:Raster Design 2008 allows you to embed (or bind) an IMAGE into a DWG. See this post for more details.
Labels: Add-on utilities, Raster Design, Tips
PermaLink Posted 4/26/2007 11:59:00 AM Comments (7)
Have you ever needed to Xref (or reference) a PDF file? One way would be to save the PDF as a TIFF and reference the image. Of course there is the old way of inserting an OLE object referencing the PDF. Both have their drawbacks.
Here is another way. Download DWF Writer from Autodesk (it's free), then open your PDF in Acrobat (reader is fine) and plot the PDF to a DWF using the DWF Writer print driver. Note that multi sheet PDFs are converted to a multi sheet DWF.
Then use the reference manager or the ._DWFATTACH command in AutoCAD to reference the DWF file. (The ability to reference DWF files was added in AutoCAD 2007).
Now if there was just some way to create a reference to each sheet in the DWF all at once rather than having to repeat the ._DWFATTACH command for each one.
Labels: AutoCAD 2008, DWF, pdf
PermaLink Posted 4/25/2007 01:46:00 PM Comments (0)
You can request the trial version (32-bit) one of three different ways. You can download it, you can order a DVD, or you can order a set of CD's. If you would like the 64-bit version, your only option is a download.
Here are some of the other free trial versions available.
AutoCAD LT Trial version download
AutoCAD LT Trial version CD
AutoCAD Electrical Trial version CD
AutoCAD Civil 3D Trial version CD
AutoCAD Map 3D Trial version CD
AutoCAD Raster Design Trial version Download
AutoCAD Raster Design Trial version CD
Many more FREE Autodesk trial version downloads are listed here
Labels: AutoCAD 2008, Civil, Notices, Raster Design
PermaLink Posted 4/23/2007 07:48:00 PM Comments (0)
Start by creating the data link using the Data Link Manager. Click on "Create a New Excel Data Link"
It will prompt you for a data link name, and then to browse for the spreadsheet (.XLS format). After you do this, the next dialog will show you a preview of your selection. By default, the data link will point to the entire sheet. However, you can link to a named range or enter the limits of a different range.
Now you have created a data link. You will be taken back to the Data Link Manager where you can create more data links or just close the dialog.
Next, run the ._TABLE command. The dialog for this command has changed also. One of the options for source data now is a "Data Link". Choose the previously created Data Link (Mine was named "ss"), then press OK.
This particular spreadsheet included 15 columns and 72 rows, with cell shading, different fonts, and some merged cells. It came into AutoCAD looking exactly like the spreadsheet looks in Excel with one glaring exception.
When a text object "spills over into" an adjoining cell, but the cells are not merged, then AutoCAD wraps this text by default when that cell is imported. This results in bad formatting. You can "fix" this by merging the cells.
Did I mention that the spreadsheet in the Data Link and the table in the drawing are LINKED? If you update the spreadsheet, and save it, then AutoCAD prompts you with a bubble warning in the lower right corner to update the table object.
Then there is a feature that you may or may not want. If the data cell is UNLOCKED, you can edit the data in the AutoCAD table and then update the spreadsheet. You do this by selecting the table, the from the right click menu, choose "Write Data Links to External Source". Note that you can
The following is a screen shot of the table, in the drawing.
In summary, will this replace OLE linking? I think so. Will it replace your 3rd party tool (such as XL2CAD or SPANNER)? That depends. We have a standard spreadsheet with about 35 columns and a varying number of rows (usually 50 or so), but it has a lot of non-merged cells and other stuff that doesn't format correctly using the AutoCAD 2008 "Data Link" - so for us, and that particular spreadsheet, we'll keep using XL2CAD. But for linking smaller spreadsheets without complicated formatting, the Data Links functionality looks like a winner, especially considering this was Autodesk's first go-round at it...
Labels: AutoCAD 2008
PermaLink Posted 4/13/2007 03:57:00 PM Comments (2)
You can open this download using your favorite ZIP program. Extract all the files and the MSI file is there.
The string for your BAT or script file will be:
MSIEXEC /i "\\server\share\DWGVIEWR.msi" /l*v %temp%\DWGTrueView.log /qb!
NOTE: You may need to install other components prior to running this silent install. For example, without .NET 2.0, the DWG TrueView silent install will fail with an "Internal Error 2337". You can silently install .NET 2.0 with this string:
\\server\share\support\dotnetfx\dotnetfx.exe /q /c:"install /l /qn"
Labels: Viewers
PermaLink Posted 4/09/2007 11:47:00 AM Comments (1)
The instructions for a silent install of Design Review 2008 are exactly as those posted for Design Review 2007.
How do you get the .MSI file out of the .EXE file that you download? Run the EXE, then when you get to the first install dialog, stop and search your %temp% directory and you will find a file named SetupDesignReview.msi
To review, here is the string to use in your BAT or script file.
MSIEXEC /i "\\server\share\SetupDesignReview.msi" /l*v %temp%\DesignReview.log /qb!
Labels: DWF
PermaLink Posted 4/09/2007 11:34:00 AM Comments (0)
DWG TrueView 2008 is available for download. If you want to read more about it and fill out a form prior to downloading, go to http://www.autodesk.com/dwgtrueview
If you want to skip all that and just download it, click here: DWG TrueView 2008
The download is a little over 128MB.
As predicted, there are still no linear or area measuring capabilities. Why doesn't Autodesk enable two simple commands, AREA and DIST?
The ability to convert multiple drawings has been enabled in this version, in the form of the eTransmit command. When you run the DWG Convert routine, it executes a version of eTransmit with a couple of predefined "conversion setups". You can still convert back to R14. I prefer the older DWG TrueConvert 2007, since using eTransmit to simply convert formats is not as straightforward. But this move will at least make installation of the two products easier since they are now one.
Labels: Viewers
PermaLink Posted 4/06/2007 10:17:00 AM Comments (0)
An AutoCAD 2007/2008 compatible version of ScriptPro has finally been released. According to Bud Schroeder, ScriptPro is the same, but it was removed from the CCSETUP.EXE install. You can download ScriptPro for AutoCAD 2007/2008 at the following URL: http://www.autodesk.com/migrationtools
I downloaded it and ran a test on AutoCAD 2008 with one of the sample scripts. Seems to work just fine.
Labels: AutoCAD 2008
PermaLink Posted 4/04/2007 08:48:00 PM Comments (0)
AutoCAD 2008 adds some new features to spell checking.
- Instead of first prompting for a selection, a dialog opens. By default, it is set to check the entire drawing. You can also check a selection set or the current space/layout.
- Dimensions and leader MTEXT are now checked.
- Words being corrected are zoomed to automatically.
- There are options to ignore:
- Capitalized words
- MixedCase works
- UPPERCASE words
- Words with numbers (BR549)
- Words containing punctuation (Like.This)
These are some long awaited improvements, especially the auto-zoom feature. Have fun.
Labels: AutoCAD 2008
PermaLink Posted 4/04/2007 08:37:00 PM Comments (1)
Another new feature to AutoCAD 2008 is the ability to perform an inverted xclip. Inverted clip meaning that the data "inside" the area you select is clipped out as compared to an ordinary XCLIP where the data "outside" the selected area is clipped. Microstation has had this for a while, so it's good to see it finally added to AutoCAD.
However, I find the new prompting a little strange. I saw this feature demonstrated last week and the person working it couldn't figure it how to do an inverted clip. I tried it later and found it to be confusing also.
The command prompting is exactly same as previous version except for the addition of one the new "Invert clip" option.
Old Prompt (2007 and earlier)
Specify clipping boundary:
[Select polyline/Polygonal/Rectangular] <Rectangular>:
New Prompt (2008)
Specify clipping boundary or select invert option:
[Select polyline/Polygonal/Rectangular/Invert clip] <Rectangular>:
Here is the strange part. If you choose the "Invert clip" option at this prompt, you are simply returned to the same prompt again. It doesn't appear that you have done anything. If you choose "Invert clip" again, you are once again returned to the same prompt. You can choose the "I" option over and over with no indication that anything is happening.
With the command line turned off and DYNMODE active, it's the same story. You are returned to the same on-screen display each time you select "Invert clip".
After a little investigation, I figured out that the "Invert clip" option is a toggle setting and that you are notified about the state of the command, but when you have the command line set to the default setting, this notification scrolls by and you don't see it.
If you turn the command line on and set the number of visible lines to 4 or 5, then you will be able to see the rest of the prompt that says either "Inside mode - Objects inside boundary will be hidden." -or- "Outside mode - Objects outside boundary will be hidden."
Labels: AutoCAD 2008
PermaLink Posted 4/03/2007 01:39:00 PM Comments (0)