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Change the color of imported TIFF files

Printed From: CAD Forum
Category: EN
Forum Name: AutoCAD
Forum Description: Discussion about AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, viewers, DWG and DWF formats, Design Review, AutoCAD 360, add-ons
URL: https://www.cadforum.cz/forum_en/forum_posts.asp?TID=8900
Printed Date: 20.Apr.2026 at 09:24


Topic: Change the color of imported TIFF files
Posted By: jdeaton
Subject: Change the color of imported TIFF files
Date Posted: 28.Jan.2013 at 14:41
Why is it that when I import TIFF files into AutoCAD LT sometimes I can change the color of the file and sometimes I can't?  I download a set of drawings from a website for my projects & every once in a while I can't change the drawing to a lighter color so that the line work I'm adding stands out more.  I'm importing the files into paperspace if that makes any difference.


Replies:
Posted By: Vladimir Michl
Date Posted: 28.Jan.2013 at 14:47
Only bitonal ("black-and-white") raster files can be re-colored to another color using AutoCAD entity properties (Color, Layer, Block, etc.). You will need Raster Design or an external raster image editor to change colors in color raster files (paletted or true-color).

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Vladimir Michl (moderator)
ARKANCE - https://arkance.world" rel="nofollow - https://arkance.world - Autodesk Platinum Partner

Posted By: jdeaton
Date Posted: 28.Jan.2013 at 18:32
These files are black and white. I place them on a layer with a light gray color so my line work is darker when I print it.  So you're saying I need to convert these files in some way?

Posted By: Vladimir Michl
Date Posted: 28.Jan.2013 at 18:48
Yes, but it is important the TIFF file are "black-and-white" internally (technically, 1-bit color depth in the file) not just visually. Only in this case you will be able to re-color them. You can convert raster files between different color depths with any raster image editor or viewer (Photoshop, CorelPaint, IrfanView....).

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Vladimir Michl (moderator)
ARKANCE - https://arkance.world" rel="nofollow - https://arkance.world - Autodesk Platinum Partner

Posted By: jdeaton
Date Posted: 27.Feb.2013 at 17:21

I’ve played around with converting tiff files to make them 2 bit color.  It does allow me to change the imported tiff to the color of that layer.  However, when converting the tiff I lose a lot of the line work on the sheet.  The Plan sheets I’m working with show existing features in a lighter gray color (proposed features are in black).  When I convert the tiff I can’t see any of the existing features because they are too light or non-existent at that point.  Is there any solution in between?

Posted By: Vladimir Michl
Date Posted: 27.Feb.2013 at 18:37
Depending on the scope of the job and on the abilities of your raster editor, it might be possible to convert your color TIFF file to a paletted image (2 colors + background) and then split it into two monochrome (1-bit) TIFF files - with the black and light-gray "layers". You can then overlay both TIFF files and color them accordingly. They will remain transparent.

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Vladimir Michl (moderator)
ARKANCE - https://arkance.world" rel="nofollow - https://arkance.world - Autodesk Platinum Partner

Posted By: jdeaton
Date Posted: 01.Mar.2013 at 13:32

Thank you for your comments.   I think I found a work-a-round.  I installed the .tiff file plotter into AutoCAD LT.  Then printed each page from CAD & it created a tiff file that I imported back into CAD; these .tiff files were able to adjust the color by the layer and so on.  Quite a few steps to take on but the end result was what I needed.  Thanks all!


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