Note1: See also plot2jpg.html which has a tutorial with screen shots.
Note2: An R14 user in another forum said .."save as tif then open in MS Photo Editor (Psp Pro?) and save as bmp."
Message: 1 of 3
From: Richard l Smith cambridgerd@westwimbledon.fsnet.co.uk
(ACAD 2000) I have read up various old postings regarding the best way to convert a .dwg file to a good quality (but not too big) .jpg file. Is there a definitive best option? what do AutoDesk recommend?
Message: 2 of 3
From: Terry W. Dotson
From the DotSoft [http://www.dotsoft.com] Newsletter #7, Plotting to a raster file: -
A popular inquiry from AutoCAD users is how to plot a drawing to a raster file (or bitmap/picture). This is often in response to the need to provide a 'picture' of the drawing without actually providing the DWG, or perhaps a drawing is to be displayed in a web page. First is the simple to use (but less control) command called BMPOUT. It creates a Windows Bitmap .BMP file, appropriate for Paintbrush but not ready for a web page. It captures the whole drawing viewport so center your drawing as well as possible before issuing the command. The following procedures can be used to 'plot' your drawing to a raster file:-
1. R14 Users
- {Setup} -
1) Issue the PREFERENCES command.
2) Choose the Printer tab.
3) Choose the New button.
4) Choose Raster File Formats.
5) Enter a Description such as 'Raster Plot'.
6) Choose an output resolution. (Consider the resolution of the target device, if the output is to a display, you may want to use 1024x768 or less)
7) Choose a raster format. (None of the choices are ready for web output, but the Windows BMP format is easily converted to such a format with raster converters).
8) Choose Monochrome or Color. (If its a single color line drawing, choosing mono canmake for a smaller file, otherwise 256 color is your best choice)
9) Specify the background color. (The default is 0=black, acceptable for display but would consume much ink/toner if output. So consider color 255 for light white.)
10) Hit enter for 'Change Anything'
11) Choose OK to close the dialog.
- {Use} -
1) Issue the PLOT command.
2) Choose the 'Device & Default Selection' button.
3) Choose the 'Raster Plot' setup previously.
4) Choose the 'File Name' button and designate a file.
5) Proceed to plot as normal, the output going to the file.
2. A2000/i/02 Users
- {Setup} -
1) Choose File -> Plotter Manager.
2) Choose 'Add-A-Plotter Wizard'.
3) Choose Next, then Next again (accepting My Computer).
4) Under Manufacturers, choose 'Raster File Formats'.
5) Under Models, choose 'Portable Network Graphics PNG'. (details on why below)
6) Choose Next until the Finish button becomes available.
-{USE}-
1) Issue the Plot Command.
2) On the Plot Device Tab, choose the PNG output created.
3) Choose the Properties button, and choose the output resolution desired.
4) In the lower right corner, specify the path and filename to create.
5) Switch to Plot Settings tab, specify the window and complete the plot to file.
Why PNG? Because it is a clean highly compressed format. While JPG (JPEG) is fine for photographs, it is a 'lossy' compression and will produce noticable 'snow' on line drawings, expecially diagonal lines. The PNG file is your best choice for raster output. It is very compact in size and is a 'loseless' compression. It can be displayed by all 'current' web browsers as well.
Good Luck, Terry
Message: 2 of 3
From: Pat
Have you tried plotting to the .jpg Plot Style found in the list with the .dwf option?
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