Importing Tif file

Discussion in 'AutoCAD' started by Ken Rock, Apr 19, 2006.

  1. Ken Rock

    Ken Rock Guest

    Hi,

    I have a series of scanned drawings in Tif format. I want to import
    them into AutoCad and then edit, scale etc. When I use the Open command
    and look in the directory containing the files, I cannot see them as
    AutoCad wants to see dwg or dxf or dwt extensions.
    As you can see, I have a very steep learning curve in front of me and I
    would appreciate any help that is out there. Thanks in advance.
    Ken Rock
     
    Ken Rock, Apr 19, 2006
    #1
  2. Ken Rock

    JG Guest

    What version are you running? Easiest method is grab the file in windows
    and drop it on drawing. Some versions under insert have raster image
    option and even more have ole object. Choice of method will vary. Raster
    images do not lend themselves to scaling very well since they are
    basically a finite number pixels and zooming in will show the individual
    pixels, whereas cad is vector based and precision is much higher
     
    JG, Apr 19, 2006
    #2
  3. Ken Rock

    Ken Rock Guest

    Hi JG,

    Many thanks for your prompt and full response.
    I am running Version R14.
    I can copy a section of the scanned drawing and paste it into a new
    AutoCad drawing but I am not able to edit it or scale it, etc.
    Is it like having to use OCR in a scanned text application?
    Regards, Ken Rock
     
    Ken Rock, Apr 19, 2006
    #3
  4. Ken Rock

    Jase Guest

    in Autocad use the command: image
    make sure the tiff file is in your project directory.



    After *Ken Rock* sat on the keyboard,
    the following *poo* showed up here:
     
    Jase, Apr 19, 2006
    #4
  5. Ken Rock

    JG Guest

    I am not experienced at version 14. (skipped that one, company I was at
    used 10 then I moved to a company that hand-drafted until they went with
    low end drafting software and finally came over to cad on 2000)

    When you drop the tif on the drawing, are there no grips on the block?
    If there are grips you should be able to drag and stretch. Precise
    scaling may not be possible.

    As to your comparison to ocr, it is slightly. When you scan the sheet,
    you have multiple dots, but your ocr interprets the dots as lines and
    compares the lines to its "dictionary" of how letters look. The problem
    with cad is worse. If your tiff has a resolution of 200 dpi and was
    drawn at 1/8"=1 foot then each dot is .48 inches, and you cannot resolve
    between dots, so precision should not be set realistically closer than
    1". Any closer precision would be you fooling yourself. Of course 1/4"
    scale or scanning at 400 dpi would allow 1/2" precision. Combining
    original at 1/4" and scan at 400 dpi allows 1/4" precision, BUT you
    still have to consider what the original resolution was when the
    original was created. For example: created on an HP inkjet plotter circa
    1998 and plotted in color has a limit of 300 dpi, if plotted in Black
    and White could be as high as 600 dpi (or significantly lower). Pen
    plotters had step increments with worse numbers. Also lines have their
    own thicknesses which would create their own tolerances. As a result I
    would never use a scanned image as a scaleable item, and would only use
    it as an illustration.
     
    JG, Apr 19, 2006
    #5
  6. Ken Rock

    JG Guest

    In the meantime, instead of being insulting, are you aware that the
    image command is not available in all versions? That is why I gave a
    generic method of drag and drop and asked for his version. In the mean
    time, what he is trying to accomplish won't work with the image command
    since what he really wants to do is convert the image to a vector.
    So just grow up and don't think you are so smart because your stupidity
    is showing.
     
    JG, Apr 19, 2006
    #6
  7. Ken Rock

    Ken Rock Guest

    Hi JG,
    I really appreciate the effort you have made to explain the problems
    involved in trying to convert the scanned files.
    An architect friend who has been dragged screaming and protesting into
    the digital world has been sent some drawings which he wishes to modify.
    Rather than redraw them, he hopes to scan and modify them. He has had
    a course of lessons in AutoCad and is running AutoCad 2005. I assumed
    that if I can open the files on an older AutoCad 14 system, he should
    have no problems with his system.
    Is it possible to convert these scanned files? Surely the problem is an
    old one with, hopefully, a practical solution.
    Again, thank you for your thoughtful response.
    Ken Rock
     
    Ken Rock, Apr 19, 2006
    #7
  8. Ken Rock

    Ken Rock Guest

    Hi Roy,
    Many thanks for your input.
    No, it is not a silly question and indeed, if it were possible, the
    answer would be copies of the original CAD drawings. Unfortunately,
    this cannot be. From what you and JG have written, perhaps the only way
    forward will be to redraw all of them.
    Regards, Ken Rock
     
    Ken Rock, Apr 19, 2006
    #8
  9. Ken Rock

    briansalt Guest

    Use 'Insert' 'Raster Image' 'Attach', then navigate to the tif file.
    'Scale' it either on insertion or after insertion. It might be very
    small on insertion, so take care to find it! 'Insert' should be one of
    the headings across the top of your screen.

    You cannot edit the image other than to scale it. you can draw over it
    and create your own copy, but that's all.


    Brian Salt.
    Remove NS from address before email reply.
     
    briansalt, Apr 19, 2006
    #9
  10. Ken Rock

    JG Guest

    Briefly, no. Not with any degree of precision or trustworthiness. Have
    him ask the original drafter to send the files. If he can't convert them
    to 14, take them in an alternate format and download acmecad convertor
    to convert them to 14 (assuming they're not 2007 format) or go to
    autodesk web site and download their convertor. Acmecad works better
    IMHO but Autodesk is the only one who can convert 2007 files. If 2007
    you may have to convert to an intermediary format and then use Acmecad
    to get it back to 14.
     
    JG, Apr 19, 2006
    #10
  11. Ken Rock

    Ken Rock Guest

    Thank you, folks.
    You have done me proud! It is a pleasure to visit such a knowledgeable
    Newsgroup.
    Best wishes, Ken Rock
     
    Ken Rock, Apr 19, 2006
    #11
  12. Ken Rock

    Chris Guest

    If I am understanding what I read it sounds like you could use a raster
    to vector program. We use a program where I work so that I can scan in a
    drawing of somekind and the use the raster to vector program to trace
    the scan. Then you can save that trace as a dxf. most of the time it's
    very uneven but it saves a lot of time.
     
    Chris, Apr 19, 2006
    #12
  13. Ken Rock

    JG Guest

    Look at the sequence of messages. When I gave him my advice I did not
    yet know the version he was using. When he indicated that it was rel 14
    I admitted I wasn't familiar with that version. Since there is no
    command structure to drag and drop, it IS the easiest method of
    inserting a raster image. I also said that there were other methods that
    would depend upon his version. But you decided to label my responses as
    "poo" and "crap." If you don't consider those insulting, you truly are
    as stupid as I stated.
     
    JG, Apr 20, 2006
    #13
  14. Ken Rock

    RAD Guest

    We bring in alot of images, and occasionally have to redraw them, but
    I've found the align command to be useful in getting a scanned image to
    a correct scale. Usually we are adding to an existing drawing, i.e. a
    site plan, and need to scale the image to true scale to add some detail
    from the image. Not perfect, but pretty close.

    Now ya'all play nice.
     
    RAD, Apr 20, 2006
    #14
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