DWG to TIFF

[cosnobum02]

Hello,
I want to convert my dwg files to tif files for my take off program. I know I can go to Tools-Display Image-Save, etc. That works when I open the tif file in my take off program but it's way too blurry. Same thing when I tryied this free trial download converter program but in bmp. I know I can buy a number of these converter programs but I'm looking for another way. Any suggestions??

Thanks!

[ccowgill]

try creating a new plotter, using the raster plotter, this will allow you to select from a variety of different formats, TIFF, PNG, JPG, BMP, I recommend PNG, or TIFF, for quality

[Teresa.Martin]

Hi!
Create a new plotter as stated in cccowgill's post (file>plotter manager>add a plotter).
Choose the My computer option. On the next screen, scroll down on the left side under manufacturers.
Towards the bottom you will see Raster file formats. After choosing that option you will see a number of choices in the left side (models). I would choose TIFF Version 6 uncompressed. This will give the best image quality. On the next screen, just hit next and make sure plot to file is selected (it should be by default). Name the plotter whatever you like. If you want everything to be in black and white, make sure you set select a monochrome.ctb or .stb for the pen settings in the plot dialogue box. You might also want to up the DPI (Shaded viewport options>custom>dpi). Usually the default is fine, but it depends on how precise you need it to be.
On another note, this file size will be very large.....
Best regards,

[ccowgill]

in regards to size, the tiff will be the best quality with the largest size, but if you want a small file with good quality, I definitely recommend using PNG (portable network graphics) The quality is far superior to a jpeg but comparable in size.

[GreyHippo]

I have tried to make jpegs from drawings and I can never get a very good resolution, so the drawings never look that good.

Instead, I make a pdf of the drawing (using cutepdf) at 600 dpi or 1200 dpi (depending on the use) and then convert the pdf to a tiff (using gsview 4.7). Both programs are free (for personal use :) ).

[Brian Myers]

Hi!
Create a new plotter as stated in cccowgill's post (file>plotter manager>add a plotter).
Choose the My computer option. On the next screen, scroll down on the left side under manufacturers.
Towards the bottom you will see Raster file formats. After choosing that option you will see a number of choices in the left side (models). I would choose TIFF Version 6 uncompressed. This will give the best image quality.

That's good advice. Plus if the TIF looks good and you want to cut down on file size then you can save the TIF as a JPG after the process is over and you'll have a higher quality JPG than AutoCAD by itself can usually produce.

[Civil Samurai]

I agree with the all the options above, however you could look into Acroplot Pro as well. It will automate the process for you in case you have multiple drawings or multiple sheets that need to be converted. It will also convert to PDF as well as a few other file types. Hope that helps.

[robert.1.hall72202]

I have microsoft office 2003 that prints to Microsoft Document imaging.
I create a dwf file from a sheetset and then print to a mdi file. The mdi file can be set
as a tif file.

Not sure, but microsoft may have a download somewhere for people that do not
have Office 2003 or greater.

[Railrose]

Another option is tifout or jpgout. Just type either one in the command line & it will tell you what is next.

[rkmcswain]

Another option is tifout or jpgout. Just type either one in the command line & it will tell you what is next.

Those will work if all you want is a quick raster image, but you have no control over the output when using those commands. Better to set up a raster plotter, or even print and then scan.

Also, as a general rule, JPG is a poor choice for raster output of a vector drawing.
See [ http://www.dotsoft.com/procedures.htm#PlotToRaster ]

[Ed Jobe]

For those that suggest converting to pdf first, keep in mind that the raster format used within pdf's is eps. Acad can output to eps, so you can save this step if your original goal is a raster image rather than pdf. The problem with blurriness/poor quality usually comes from trying to use a raster image whose size/resolution is greatly different from what is needed for your final output. IOW, rather than stretch/shrink the raster to the size you need it for your presentation, plot it to that resolution or at least close to it.

[avdesign]

I always though PDF's were both Vector and Raster depending on it's orginal file.

[Wanderer]

I always though PDF's were both Vector and Raster depending on it's orginal file.it also depends on the method you use to create the pdf's...

[dmo1205342273]

If you do file > export and select windows metafile (.wmf) as your file type. When you save your drawing just put .jpg after the name (ie Drawing1.jpg) and AutoCAD puts the .wmf extension after it. Just delete the .wmf and the file type and everything will be a jpg. The quality seems to be better than some other ways that I've done this before. The only thing is the renaming of all the files to get rid of the .wmf file extension. Just a thought