Print Page | Close Window

Advise please - adding JPG's to CAD

Printed From: CAD Forum
Category: EN
Forum Name: AutoCAD
Forum Description: Discussion about AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, viewers, DWG and DXF formats, Design Review, AutoCAD web, Drive, add-ons
URL: https://www.cadforum.cz/forum_en/forum_posts.asp?TID=9349
Printed Date: 18.Jul.2026 at 14:56


Topic: Advise please - adding JPG's to CAD
Posted By: Sleepwalker
Subject: Advise please - adding JPG's to CAD
Date Posted: 29.Jun.2013 at 16:40
Hello There - I have been using AutoCAD 2007 for a while now but am struggling with the insertion of JPG's or "Raster image references". What I need to do is add images so that they are fully attached (embedded?) to the CAD drawing. I then need to be able to alter the raster in its original file, but not the copy on the CAD drawing. Thanks; Mark


Replies:
Posted By: heinsite
Date Posted: 01.Jul.2013 at 11:39
Just type ATTACH at the command line.  For Files of type: select All image files and then navigate to your JPG.  It's just like bringing an xref drawing into your workspace.

Dave.


-------------
Dave Hein, P.E.
Hawaii District Engineer
Kona International Airport
AutoCAD Certified Professional
Autodesk Expert Elite

Posted By: Sleepwalker
Date Posted: 01.Jul.2013 at 17:48
Hi Dave
 
Thanks very much - I'll try that!
 
Mark

Posted By: heinsite
Date Posted: 01.Jul.2013 at 21:22
Just remember that images are raster-based files meaning they are resolution dependent.  As you scale them up you'll loose that nice crisp look.

Attaching images to CAD files uses the same process as xref-ing drawing files.  Image imports this way are called "underlays"  Bringing image files into a drawing is much better done this way than via copy/paste also.  You have more functionality.

Dave.


-------------
Dave Hein, P.E.
Hawaii District Engineer
Kona International Airport
AutoCAD Certified Professional
Autodesk Expert Elite

Posted By: Sleepwalker
Date Posted: 02.Jul.2013 at 09:40
Hello
 
You've given me a lot to think about there - will this method allow me to then alter the Raster/jpg in the original file without altering or deleting the one in the CAD file?
 
- Mark

Posted By: heinsite
Date Posted: 02.Jul.2013 at 10:21
That's an interesting question... and one I never played with before.  But here's what I found out:

First, yes, you could change the image file without modifying the underlay in the drawing.  But you'd have to be careful because when you next open the file or reload the overlay it will update with the changes.  You'd need to bind it in the drawing if you wanted a particular version to remain static.

But I also discovered that having an image underlay in an open drawing prevents you from saving changes in a program like photoshop.  That's different behavior than changing a dwg xref.  There if you change the xref AutoCAD will give you a warning that it's changed.  This kind of message won't happen with an underlay.  But you can close the drawing and then modify the image.  But again, when you reload or reopen the drawing you'll get the updated image.  So be careful.  Changing filenames of images, if that's part of the workflow, is probably your solution.

Dave.




-------------
Dave Hein, P.E.
Hawaii District Engineer
Kona International Airport
AutoCAD Certified Professional
Autodesk Expert Elite


Print Page | Close Window