Export drawing file to .BMP format

[macwizzy06]

I believe this has been discussed here somewhere but i just can't lay my hands (or mouse if you prefer) on it. ;)

I'm looking to convert a drawing from acad to bitmap. Yes, i know it can be done by simply typing the word "export" in the command line, or File>>>Export>>>pick a location, type a file name, choose Bitmap (.bmp) in the file type area of the Export dialog box, click on save, select objects, enter.

However, when the drawing is zoomed to its extents and texts appear as tiny, unreadable black lines, the resultant bitmap file also has unreadable texts even when zoomed closely. Is there a way to fix this by specifying a length or width for the bitmap file? Or is there another way of creating .bmp files of acad drawings that ensures that texts are readable when zoomed in?

[cadtag]

the short answer is "no"

BMP is a raster format, and you can't really zoom into it. Your best bet is probably to create a raster plotter via the add a plotter wizard, using the BMP choice.

good luck

[jfields.61630]

Could you use "jpgout" command and save the drawing as a jpeg and then use Microsoft paint or some other editing program to convert it to a bmp. I am not sure how the great the quality will be though. It may not be what you desire.

[ccowgill]

could you create a raster printer and print it to bmp, we do that all the time with png and jpeg format.
I am away from AutoCAD at the moment, otherwise I would give you the steps of how to set up a raster printer. If you search the forum, I have a post somewhere where I suggested this to someone else.

[Mike.Perry]

Hi

If required...

ID: TS44908 - Create bitmap (BMP) files (http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=TS44908)

Have a good one, Mike

[macwizzy06]

Thanks everyone!!!

Cadtag and Ccowgill i really appreciate the raster plotter suggestion. I've never tried it before except with .pdf and even that was put there by another program i was using with MY AutoCAD (ok, OUR AutoCAD) ;) .

Jfields.61630, gracias! I'll also play around with the "jpgout" command but i'm thinking that the resultant JPEG is a raster format like BMP (correct me if i'm wrong tho) and may not produce the required output. Besides, there's bmpout as well ;). It was a very valuable info, thanks man! (or woman? :? )

Hmmm... Uncle Mike! What can i say? I love you!!! :beer:

[macwizzy06]

I now have a raster plotter for bitmap conversions. The output is good but it's a little restrictive on resolution (the highest being 1600 x 1280 pixels).

Y'all know that Oliver is always asking for more ;) So is there a way to work around the resolution? If not, then... well... thanks for listening. :mrgreen:

:beer: :beer:

[jaberwok]

I now have a raster plotter for bitmap conversions. The output is good but it's a little restrictive on resolution (the highest being 1600 x 1280 pixels).

Y'all know that Oliver is always asking for more ;) So is there a way to work around the resolution? If not, then... well... thanks for listening. :mrgreen:

:beer: :beer:

Mac.
If you use the jpg driver there is no limit on resolution - nor on the resultant file size so be careful.

[macwizzy06]

Mac.
If you use the jpg driver there is no limit on resolution - nor on the resultant file size so be careful.
Brother John, are you asking me to convert the drawing to jpg, if this is acceptable as well, instead of bmp? ;)

[jaberwok]

Brother John, are you asking me to convert the drawing to jpg, if this is acceptable as well, instead of bmp? ;)

No, it's just a piece of information. :)
It's worth noting, though, that jpg will give a smaller file than a bmp of the same resolution.

[Arben.Allaraj]

I believe this has been discussed here somewhere but i just can't lay my hands (or mouse if you prefer) on it. ;)

I'm looking to convert a drawing from acad to bitmap. Yes, i know it can be done by simply typing the word "export" in the command line, or File>>>Export>>>pick a location, type a file name, choose Bitmap (.bmp) in the file type area of the Export dialog box, click on save, select objects, enter.

However, when the drawing is zoomed to its extents and texts appear as tiny, unreadable black lines, the resultant bitmap file also has unreadable texts even when zoomed closely. Is there a way to fix this by specifying a length or width for the bitmap file? Or is there another way of creating .bmp files of acad drawings that ensures that texts are readable when zoomed in?

One though is :render your drawing and use saveimg command.

[ccowgill]

you can't create additional "custom paper sizes" with the bmp raster printer? you can with png and jpg, possibly even the tiff one.

[macwizzy06]

No, it's just a piece of information. :)
It's worth noting, though, that jpg will give a smaller file than a bmp of the same resolution.
That's quite true! Plus, jpg is just as "RASTER" as bmp. My thinking is if bmp is a required format then jpg may just well be used (in most cases tho). This is however not my decision to make as the darn Client obstinately insists on bitmap. And bitmap he got! Now he wants to turn me to a magician of some sort!

[macwizzy06]

One though is :render your drawing and use saveimg command.
You seriously think that re-saving the whole drawing as a single bitmap image would allow unreadable texts be read when zoomed in? Ok, i'll give it a shot as well!

[stusic]

I had to do something similar once, only they requested .jpg instead of .bmp. The way I did it was to plot it as a .pdf (using the CutePDF driver we normally use to make pdfs), then convert it to a .jpg inside ACDSee (I think). The plot to a pdf gave full resolution, with no distorted text, and the ACDSee converted it very well into .jpg format. The resulting file was great, although large compared to a normal jpeg, it was very small comapred to a bmp. I would not be surprised to see your bmp become a HUGE file if it's to be legible - possibly 10-20 Mb...

[macwizzy06]

I had to do something similar once, only they requested .jpg instead of .bmp. The way I did it was to plot it as a .pdf (using the CutePDF driver we normally use to make pdfs), then convert it to a .jpg inside ACDSee (I think). The plot to a pdf gave full resolution, with no distorted text, and the ACDSee converted it very well into .jpg format. The resulting file was great, although large compared to a normal jpeg, it was very small comapred to a bmp. I would not be surprised to see your bmp become a HUGE file if it's to be legible - possibly 10-20 Mb...
I think so too but as i don't have to leave it on my pc, i'm willing to try out anything! I already forwarded what i made to the Client with some nice excuses to match! But i'm still willing to achieve a better image for future purposes.

[jaberwok]

It may be worth clarifying the client's requirement - the word "bitmap" applies equally to bmp jpg png tiff gif etc although many people do automatically think of bmp.

Just a thought. ;-)

[macwizzy06]

It may be worth clarifying the client's requirement - the word "bitmap" applies equally to bmp jpg png tiff gif etc although many people do automatically think of bmp.

Just a thought. ;-)
Ok, so my microsoft dictionary doesn't have that word in it. Client's requirement is clear, BitMaP = BMP.

I have noticed that in my Windows XP however, some (if not all) of those file extensions when clicked, are automatically opened in the Windows Picture and Fax Viewer.

[stusic]

I believe the best way you're going to get a high-resolution bitmap (.bmp) is by plotting it through a PDF printer (CutePDF or something similar). Once you have your PDF, you can use an image-editing program to convert it to the .bmp format you need. I'm suggesting doing the conversion through an external editor because I believe it will give you the least degradation of quality by being able to control many of the functions that are normally in place to decrease the file size. You can use the ACDSee on the free trial or one of the many free, open-source editors out there. This should get you what you're after.

Bitmaps were originally used for the actual bitmap files (.bmp), but have grown to encompass any raster image file format. TIF, JPG, BMP, GIF, all can be described as a "bitmap" file. Noted exceptions being vector graphics file formats, such as DWG, DGN, PSD, MAX, which essentially store the directions on how to draw an image, while raster stores information on where each and every pixel is located in the image.

[jaberwok]

Bitmaps were originally used for the actual bitmap files (.bmp), but have grown to encompass any raster image file format. TIF, JPG, BMP, GIF, all can be described as a "bitmap" file.
I think that's back-to-front.
A bitmap is any image that consists of raster data. There were many bitmap file formats around before Micros**t introduced a new format for their Windows Paint programme (pcx springs to mind). Micros**ft assigned the extension "bmp" to their new file format and, human minds being what they are, "bitmap" became associated with "bmp".

:?

[macwizzy06]

I believe the best way you're going to get a high-resolution bitmap (.bmp) is by plotting it through a PDF printer (CutePDF or something similar). Once you have your PDF, you can use an image-editing program to convert it to the .bmp format you need. I'm suggesting doing the conversion through an external editor because I believe it will give you the least degradation of quality by being able to control many of the functions that are normally in place to decrease the file size. You can use the ACDSee on the free trial or one of the many free, open-source editors out there. This should get you what you're after.

Bitmaps were originally used for the actual bitmap files (.bmp), but have grown to encompass any raster image file format. TIF, JPG, BMP, GIF, all can be described as a "bitmap" file. Noted exceptions being vector graphics file formats, such as DWG, DGN, PSD, MAX, which essentially store the directions on how to draw an image, while raster stores information on where each and every pixel is located in the image.
Which image editing program comes with windows? Or what do you suggest? I haven't worked much with image editors and even photo-shop installed here was removed cos i didnt use it... it just occupied space!

[stusic]

Which image editing program comes with windows? Or what do you suggest? I haven't worked much with image editors and even photo-shop installed here was removed cos i didnt use it... it just occupied space!CutePDF (http://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp) is a free PDF publishing program to print your DWGs to PDFs.

PDF Extract (http://www.shareup.com/PDF_Extract_TIFF-download-19479.html) is a program for converting PDF files into TIFF, JPG and other formats. I haven't used this (I use Photoshop), so I can't guarantee it works, but it's advertised as doing that and it's got a 30-day trial. Worth a shot...

[macwizzy06]

CutePDF (http://www.cutepdf.com/Products/CutePDF/writer.asp) is a free PDF publishing program to print your DWGs to PDFs.

PDF Extract (http://www.shareup.com/PDF_Extract_TIFF-download-19479.html) is a program for converting PDF files into TIFF, JPG and other formats. I haven't used this (I use Photoshop), so I can't guarantee it works, but it's advertised as doing that and it's got a 30-day trial. Worth a shot...
Ok, thanks mate!