Exporting linework to raster format

Exporting drawings to raster files seems to be rarely talked about even though we must all do it to put them in publishing and layout programs. Maybe I'm way off base?

Anyways, I have been exporting two different ways and would like to get a critique and want to know what would be the "best practice".

Method 1 - plot as uncompressed BMP at high resolution frame size, results in huge file sizes

Method 2 - plot as PDF and rasterize in Photoshop afterwards, however this results in lower quality resolution unless the dpi is bumped up much higher (900dpi) than for method 1(450 dpi), gives more easily scaled output this way

But I'm thinking there must be an easier and effective way. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

though we must all do it to put them in publishing and layout programs.
Maybe I'm way off base?


I print directly to a 200dpi PNG. A TIFF works fine too, but I usually end
up converting to a PNG anyway, so I just started plotting right to PNG. So
far have not run into any magic wanding issues, but I haven't needed to do
much either.

Gordon

 

I have been plotting directly to a EPS file and importing that into
Photoshop. Set up a post-script plotter in AutoCAD and have it plot to
file. Since an EPS file is vector based, when you open it in photoshop, it
will ask you what resolution you want it to be...just make it what suits
your needs.

M. Johnson

though we must all do it to put them in publishing and layout programs.
Maybe I'm way off base?

critique and want to know what would be the "best practice".

results in lower quality resolution unless the dpi is bumped up much higher
(900dpi) than for method 1(450 dpi), gives more easily scaled output this
way

Thanks!