CADRaster LTX/PRO 4.63 CADRread.me 2000.06.27
Tessel Systems, Stockholm, Sweden, (C) 2000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
CADRaster 4.63 runs on AutoCAD LT95, LT97, LT98, LT2000, R13, R14 and 2000.
The following advanced features are available in the PRO version only:
1. RCalibrate command
2. RTrace command
3. RInsert command
4. RCut/RCopy/RPaste commands
5. Editing color images
6. RSplit command
7. Geographical coordinates
8. Editing of image transparency information
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Contents
========
A. Revisions history
B. Known problems
=======================================================================
A.0. New features added to CADRaster 4.63 Service Pack 3
1. Load / Save Geographical Mapping
Information about geographical mapping to be used while viewing raster
drawing, can be stored in and retrieved from Tessel Attribute File
(*.TAF file).
You may activate "Geographical Mapping - Load" option to force the
mapping to be active. Alternatively, you may select some mapping
and choose "Geographical Mapping - Save" option to associate it
with the drawing.
Both options are enabled only if there is only one raster drawing opened,
or (in case of composite documents containing several raster drawings)
only one raster drawing selected.
The same geocoding information, together with georeferencing data, are
stored and retrieved in GeoTIFF format in TIFF drawing files and in
MapInfo (MIF) format in *.TAB files (if selected after activating
"Configuration - Open tab - Parameters file options" button).
Possibility of retrieving geocoding information stored in GeoTIFF or
MapInfo format is limited to geographical mappings implemented in
TSLGEO dynamic link library.
2. Support for raster drawings in JPEG format
CADRaster now recognizes and supports raster drawings stored in
popular JPEG format (extensions JPG, JPEG).
Various parameters that influence compression level, precision of
drawing details and processing time during saving or converting to
JPEG format, may be controlled from "JPEG Format Save Options" dialog
called from "Save" tab on "Configuration" dialog.
DCT method
Selects the algorithm used for the DCT step. Choices are:
SLOW: slow but accurate integer algorithm
FAST: faster, less accurate integer method (DEFAULT)
FLOAT: floating-point method
Restart
To emit restart markers in the JPEG file, set one of these nonzero.
Set restart interval in blocks to specify the exact interval in MCU blocks.
Set restart interval in rows to specify the interval in MCU rows.
Defaults are zero (no restarts).
One restart marker per MCU row is often a good choice.
Smooth
If non-zero, the input image is smoothed; the value should be 1 for
minimal smoothing to 100 for maximum smoothing. The default is zero.
Quality
Baseline
Constructs JPEG quantization tables appropriate for the indicated
quality setting. The quality value is expressed on the 0..100 scale
recommended by IJG.
If the baseline parameter is TRUE, then the quantization table
entries are constrained to the range 1..255 for full JPEG baseline
compatibility. In the current implementation, this only makes a
difference for quality settings below 25, and it effectively prevents
very small/low quality files from being generated.
To learn more about how to use JPEG, see http://www.faqs.org/faqs/jpeg-faq/.
Due to the compression nature used in raster drawings stored in JPEG
format, applying some raster editing operations, like clearing areas
or cutting and pasting, may result in some artifacts inside edited
areas, depending on compression parameters used in original drawing.
3. Raster Printing Quality in AutoCAD 2000 and AutoCAD LT 2000
When plotting drawings that contain raster images, you may find that
the quality of the objects in plotted output is poor depending on
the device being used.
Solution
You can control the quality of the plotted output of inserted raster
images using the Plotter Configuration Editor.
Plotter Configuration Editor
From the AutoCAD File menu, select Plot.
In the Plot dialog box, select the Plot Device tab, and then select
the Properties button.
In the Plotter Configuration Editor dialog box, select the Device and
Document Settings tab and expand the Graphics node by clicking on
the plus sign (+) next to the word "Graphics."
Select Raster Graphics.
Note: The ability to change these settings depends on the device driver,
not all drivers will support this feature.
In the Raster Images window, move the OLE slider to Best.
If the raster image is still not of a high enough quality you can move
the Trade off bar to Fewer colors. This will increase the sharpness of the
image but will be more beneficial if you are plotting to a monochrome device.
We also recommend to install "AutoCAD 2000 Plotting Update Patch".
The Plotting Update is a self-extracting executable (EXE) file available
to download from AutoDesk WWW site.
4. New PlotWithLineweights option
This new CADRaster option is used in RCreate and RInsert commands.
When it is turned on then it scales lineweights in proportion to the raster scale.
Lineweights normally specify the linewidth of plotted objects and are plotted
with the linewidth size regardless of the plot scale. By default it is toggled off.
This feature is controlled by PlotWithLineweights key in CADRaster's INI file:
[Options]
PlotWithLineweights=1
5. New DefaultTransparency option
A percentage of the image formats available today allow transparency information
to be stored in the image, and by default that information is ignored in AutoCAD,
however, it can be enabled within AutoCAD 2000 using the TRANSPARENCY command.
Setting image transparency to On allows AutoCAD to recognize the transparent
pixels so that graphics on the screen show through those pixels.
Transparency is available for both bitonal and nonbitonal (Alpha RGB or gray-scale)
images. By default, images are attached with transparency turned off.
But "TRANSPARENCY" command work only within AutoCAD 2000 !!!
Solution for AutoCAD LT 2000 users:
The default transparency setting can be toggled on or off for a new raster image(s)
opened by CADRaster. By default it is toggled off.
This feature is controlled by DefaultTransparency key in CADRaster's INI file:
[Options]
DefaultTransparency=1
6. ClearDrawOrder command now emits confirmation text.
7. Corrected errors:
a. bad execution of some AutoCAD commands when working with national
version of AutoCAD (only AutoCAD 2000 or LT2000 version)
b. memory leek error in layout mode of AutoCAD 2000 and LT2000 versions
c. bad printing of raster images in paper space mode
(applies to AutoCAD R14 with Tessel Printer Driver or AutoCAD LT 98 only)
d. bad TIFF PackBits formats - after edition in CADRaster AutoCAD could not
display the new image properly
e. Rinsert command - it keeps Alpha channel now
f. improper Snap when "Magnifying glass" with the option "on every snap"
was On (applies to AutoCAD LT 2000 only)
g. creation of TAB files - now it stores a proper raster image file name inside.
h. "CADRaster Rasterizer" device now works with more printer drivers
We always recommends to use "HP LaserJet 3" driver in case of any trouble.
A.1. New features added to CADRaster 4.62 Service Pack 2
--------------------------------------------------------
1. CADRaster now works under Windows NT 2000 operating system also.
If your CADRaster is protected by hardware key you have to install
Sentinel System Driver (version 5.38.2 or above) from "TSL CD 2000-3"
or download from http://www.rainbow.com/tech/download/drivers.html
2. New views option - "Draw soft raster images".
New "ClearView" technology enables displaying sharp and clear raster images,
especially in large zoom-outs.
3. Editing operations are now available on multi-page image file.
4. Transparent printouts (PRO version only).
You can receive a transparent printout using one of the following methods.
First method applies only to monochromatic images and is available in AutoCAD 2000 and R14.
To use it you have to:
- select raster image;
- switch on the image transparency using Modify/Object/Image/Transparency option
from AutoCAD menu;
- put all entities (vector and raster) in required order;
- print selected area to the Printing device based on a Default System Printer.
Second method is based on CADRaster's functions and applies to all kinds of images and
can be used also in AutoCADs LT. It requires Printing device to be configured like
for RInsert and RCreate commands. It is described in section "Compatibility with AutoCAD XXXX"
(where XXXX should be replaced with your version of AutoCAD) in CADRaster's manual.
To use this method you have to:
- switch on the "MergePrintoutColors" option located on the View tab of CADRaster
Configuration dialog;
- switch on the "Send image to back" option located on the Open tab of CADRaster
Configuration dialog;
- open required raster image;
- print selected area to the properly configured Printing device.
5. CADRaster does not force AutoCAD LT 2000 to work in SDI mode (under Windows 95/98).
A.2. New features added to CADRaster 4.60
-----------------------------------------------------
1. Compatibility with AutoCAD LT 2000.
2. New editing library for color and gray scale images.
New raster editing library implements new technology in editing color
raster drawings. It gives you better quality of edited images and greater
flexibility in controlling various aspects of image processing modes. Short
description of these possibilities is given below;
see http://www.tessel.com/ for more details.
a) Raster editor settings
From the Edit tab on Configuration dialog, push the Raster editor settings
button. The settings available from the Raster editor settings dialog are
grouped in three boxes as described below.
All settings chosen during editing session are stored in INI file.
"Filter type"
Choice of filter type influences the way of calculating color of each pixel
in transformed image during resizing, rotating and calibrating.
The Linear and Cubic filters interpolate color value taking two or four
adjacent pixels according to linear and cubic interpolation formulae,
appropriately.
The Lanczos, Hamming and Blackman filters take into account color
values from six neighboring pixels.
The default setting is Linear filter, which is the fastest one and precise
enough for simple applications, like technical drawings and maps.
"Use filters for files"
Although precise choice of filter type may be individual for each type of
image, the general decision when to use filter and when to not filter at all
may be taken basing on image color format.
Option "In any color format" enables filtering always when transforming
color and gray-scaled images.
Option "Above 16 colors" enables filtering for color and gray-scaled 256-
palette images as well as for true-color images.
Option "In true-color only" limits filtering only to true-color images.
Option "Do not use" disables filtering at all.
The default setting is "Above 16 colors".
"Round bits number to"
When the palette image is to be transformed using filtering, it requires
converting to true-color format for processing and converting result back
while storing. Rounding 8 bits per each basic color to some lower value, e.g.
7, 6, 5 or 4 bits may shorten converting and processing time, with slight
degradation of color precision.
Successive options named 4 bits per color, 5 bits per color, 6 bits per color
and 7 bits per color declare which rounding is to be used.
The default setting is rounding to 6 bits per each basic color.
b) Fill color and image transparency
New raster editing library enhances use of fill color and image
transparency concepts, used in advanced image processing applications.
"Fill color"
The fill color defined from the "Fill Color Filter" dialog is involved in
several situations.
In "Clear Rectangles / Polygons" operations, the fill color fills the area
defined for clearing. Similar “clearing to fill color” is done during "Cut
Rectangle / Polygon" operations.
In "Crop Rectangle / Polygon" operations, the fill color is used to paint
redefined parts of raster image. Similar “completing by fill color” is done
during "Cut / Copy Rectangle / Polygon", regarding exported part of image.
In "Rotate / Calibrate Drawing" operations, the fill color is used to paint
undefined parts of raster image, that complete transformed shape of original
image to the extent of new image.
In "Paste Drawing" operation, the fill color similarly completes redefined
image extent if the pasted drawing exceeds it. However, the most important
use of fill color during pasting is its interpretation in image being pasted. All
parts of this image that have the same color as the fill color are treated as if
they were transparent. It enables to handle properly such situations as
pasting complicated raster shapes obtained in "Cut / Copy Polygon" operation,
even after resizing and rotating pasted drawing.
The default fill color is white. You may have to redefine it to some other
color that is not involved in "Cut / Copy / Paste" operations, to obtain proper
results.
"Image transparency"
The set of transparent colors defined from the "Transparent Color Filter"
dialog enables to define and modify selective transparent areas using
"Transparent Clear Rectangles / Polygons" and "Transparent Mask – Invert /
Remove" operations.
Transparent masks introduced in color drawing are now transformed
properly in "Resize / Rotate / Calibrate" operations and preserved in "Cut /
Copy / Paste" operations.
In "Paste Drawing" operation, interpretation of image transparency in
drawing being pasted depends on the setting of "Enable image transparency"
option from the "View" tab on "Configuration" dialog. Those areas of pasted
drawing that have been defined as transparent ones, are not pasted to current
drawing if the "Enable image transparency" option is on. Otherwise, the
whole drawing (excluding areas of color equal to fill color – see previous
section) is pasted, ignoring transparent mask.
3. Support for editing large raster image files (larger than 32K pixels).
4. RMerge command changes.
Starting with this version the newly created raster image takes the units
from source TCD document (instead of INCH taken previously).
5. RSplit command changes.
New TCD document now uses splitted images units (instead of MM uses previously).
In case when the units for the source file are not defined, default raster units
are used.
6. RImport command changes.
New TCD document now uses default TCD document units in case when the units for
the source file are not defined (instead of INCH uses previously).
7. RCreate and RInsert command can use PlotStyleTable during rasterization process
( on AutoCAD LT2000 or R2000 only ). This feature is controlled by PlotStyleTable key
in CADRaster's INI file:
[Options]
PlotStyleTable=
Possible extensions are:
.STB
.CTB
8. Save reference using UNC format
During save operation CADRaster save in a DWG file reference to raster/TCD file
opened by CADRaster. It allows to autoload raster file while opening DWG file.
Now it is possible to write this reference using UNC format. If we open
this document on other computer, we will be able to open this raster/TCD file.
Using this option slow down save operation.
This feature is controlled by SaveUNCReference key in CADRaster's INI file:
[Options]
SaveUNCReference=1
9. RSUSPEND command accelerator key was changed to Ctlr+Shift+S
10. SDI Mode in AutoCAD LT 2000
When running CADRaster under Windows95 or Windows98 operating system,
CADRaster set AutoCAD LT 2000 to work in SDI mode.
This does not apply when working under Windows NT.
A.3. New features added to CADRaster 4.50 Service Pack 2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. New license required for AutoCAD 2000.
Upgrade to version 4.50 is free for users who own version 4.40
and do not use AutoCAD 2000. If you want CADRaster 4.50 to work
with AutoCAD 2000, please contact Tessel Systems or your local
dealer for upgrade conditions.
2. Compatibility with AutoCAD 2000.
CADRaster 4.50 is compatible with AutoCAD 2000 with the exception
of limited MDI Interface support.
CADRaster 4.50 allows you to open a TCD or a raster image only
in one AutoCAD document window at a time, although AutoCAD 2000
supports a Multiple Document Interface (MDI). While a CADRaster's
document is opened in one document window all CADRaster actions
in other windows are disabled (CADRaster toolbar is hidden).
RCreate and RInsert commands require some manual configuration
to work properly. For these commands a plotter configuration named
"CADRaster Rasterizer" is needed.
To add rasterizer plotter description start "_plottermanager" command and
using "Add-A-Plotter Wizard" icon create plotter description named
"CADRaster Rasterizer". That plotter should use already configured
Default System Printer driver (do not use Heidi driver). Native raster
image objects opened in AutoCAD are omitted during RInsert and RCreate
operations. RCreate and RInsert commands implementation changes list of
standard paper sizes available for Default System Printer, adding items
named "RasterizePortrait" and "RasterizeLandscape". Please ignore them
while selecting the printout paper size.
3. Printing raster images using AutoCAD’s System Plotter Driver.
This feature allows you to print raster images that are located over
vector entities. Previous CADRaster versions support printing only
through CADRaster Plotter Driver that always prints the raster image
first and the vector entities next, independently of entities order.
In case of AutoCAD 2000 this is the only way to get the printout,
because printing using CADRaster Plotter Driver is not supported.
4. Multiple CADRaster installation on the same machine.
Changed CADRaster's Starter program lets you share one AutoCAD
installation between multiple CADRaster versions installed on
the same machine.
5. New API functions.
New API method Rotate90 that rotates raster image in 90, 180,
270 degrees has been added. A sample VBA macro, illustrating how
to use this method, is accessible on our WEB site
http://Tessel.com/support/kb/cadraster/rotate90.exe.
6. Manual upgrade to AutoCAD 2000.
This is important information for users, which have upgraded
CADRaster version 4.40 to version 4.50 using Service Pack 2 disks.
Use the following procedure to configure CADRaster 4.5 to work
with AutoCAD 2000:
- modify CADRaster INI file (cadrpro.ini or cadrltx.ini) in order to
define path to AutoCAD 2000, e.g.:
[CADRaster PRO General]
AutoCADPath=L:\Acad2000\ACAD.EXE
CADRaster INI file is located in configuration subdirectory (CADRPRO.CFG
or CADRLTX.CFG) in the installation directory.
- run AutoCAD 2000 and manually load CADRaster's main module
named CADR15.ARX using "APPLOAD" command. The CADR15.ARX is located
in CADRaster installation directory. Next time you can use CADRaster
icon to start CADRaster 4.50 with AutoCAD 2000.
A.4. New features added to CADRaster 4.40 Service Pack 1
--------------------------------------------------------
1. Default parameters for Raster file can be specified in CADRaster INI file
The following default parameters of raster file can be specified in
CADRaster INI file.
See following sample.
[RasterDrawingParams]
Orientation=3
XInsertionPoint=-51.336704
YInsertionPoint=-34.162809
XScale=10.000000
YScale=10.000000
XResolution=300.000000
YResolution=300.000000
Length=772
Width=944
2. Bug with long description in Raster file is corrected.
3. CADRaster TLB library is available to use by OLE Automation clients.
4. Image Preview is displayed in FileOpen dialog.
5. RMerge command can merge files greater than 64 K pixels in both axis
and containing more then 2 colors.
6. Plotting on standard AutoCAD ADI driver is corrected.
7. Plotting when "Send image to back" option is OFF now always uses standard
AutoCAD ADI driver. This mode is used when we need to put raster images
on another object.
You may use CADRaster ADI driver or AutoCAD ADI drivers to plot images on
plotting device. Using CADRaster driver can speed whole process, but it always
prints the image in the back (background).
Ordering ensures proper display and plotting output when two or more objects
overlay one another. An example of when ordering may be necessary is
when a raster image is drawn over existing objects, obscuring them from view.
AutoCAD ADI drivers are needed when you want to plot to SystemPrinter
device and to other nonstandard devices. This driver must be used when you
use _DrawOrder command and want to plot some objects before CADRaster image,
i.e. placed under it.
CADRaster driver must be used when you want to use "Merge printout colors" option.
8. Some minor errors in application has been corrected
A.5. New features added to CADRaster 4.40
-----------------------------------------
1. Geographical coordinates
To facilitate working with geographical maps, CADRaster has the facilities
to work with geographical coordinates and convert them to orthogonal
coordinate system back and forth. The World Coordinates bar
displays current mouse position converted to selected geographical mapping system.
You can use the World Coordinates bar to enter points coordinates specified in
geographical coordinates.
2. Image Transparency
Transparency it is the ability to see through an image.
CADRaster supports displaying images with transparency defined by a transparent color
method (supported by the GIF-89a format) or by an alpha channel method
specified in TIFF format. Additionally CADRaster PRO allows you to
define transparent areas in TIF files.
A.6. New features added to CADRaster 4.35 Service Pack 2
--------------------------------------------------------
1. Import/Export raster image parameters in Map-Info and ARC/INFO formats.
Former CADRaster versions support image parameters files in the RLD and
TAF formats. Service Pack 2 additionally allows to import/export image
parameters using files in formats supported by Map-Info and ARC/INFO applications.
2. Z coordinate and Line Width parameter for Tracing operation.
RTrace command automatically creates vector polylines fitted to raster line curvature.
Service Pack 2 allows you to define value of Z coordinate and the width of created
polyline.
3. Transparency of CADRaster Image under AutoCAD R14.
CADRaster supports images with transparent pixels under AutoCAD R14.
You can switch the transparency on using AutoCAD's TRANSPARENCY command or
option Transparency from the Modify/Object menu.
4. Selecting CADRaster Image in AutoCAD's R14 commands.
You can use ERASE and TRANSPARENCY commands with CADRaster Image.
The ERASE command causes closing CADRaster image. The TRANSPARENCY
command switches on transparent pixels handling.
5. Menu and new dockable Toolbar (ACAD style).
Service Pack 2 is shipped with MNU file defining menu and toolbars with CADRaster
commands. You may use AutoCAD's toolbars and menu instead of native CADRaster's toolbar.
It is possible under AutoCAD R14 and R13 only.
6. Saving R14 Image Object reference only for selected TCD subdocuments.
CADRaster Service Pack 1 allows saving in DWG file reference to raster file
opened by CADRaster using AutoCAD's Image Object. It allows to autoload raster file
while opening DWG file in AutoCAD R14 or LT97/LT98 without CADRaster.
Service Pack 2 offers a new option "Save selected raster images only" available
on the Save page in the Configuration dialog. The option controls if all or only
selected TCD elements subdocuments are saved.
7. Corrected errors:
a. Edit raster images with very long description (more than 250 chars).
b. Rotating color image greater than 12000 pixels in line or 12000 lines.
c. Inverted displaying of some grayscale images.
d. Corrected the decimal delimiter problem "." with ACAD environment value,
when the Locale in Regional Settings is other than English.
A.7. New features added to CADRaster 4.33 Service Pack 1
--------------------------------------------------------
1. Saving raster reference as R14 Image Object.
New configuration option "Save raster reference as R14 Image Object"
allows to save in DWG file reference to raster file opened by CADRaster
using AutoCAD's Image Object. It allows to autoload raster file while
opening DWG file in AutoCAD R14 or LT97/LT98 without CADRaster. Additionally
you can control if preview bitmap for R14 Image Object is created.
2. New configuration option "Send image to back" is available on Open page
on Configuration dialog. If the option is set, CADRaster forces its image
object to be sent to background in vector entities order.
3. New options on the Configuration dialog.
Options "Vector defaults units" and "ShowTwainInterface" from CADRaster
INI file are now available on CADRaster Configuration Dialog.
4. Improved compatibility with R14 with AutoCAD R14/LT97/LT98.
CADRaster Image Object compatibility with AutoCAD R14/LT97/LT98 is improved.
- CADRaster image status is displayed in IMAGE command dialog,
- IMAGE command options: Detach, Reload, Unload work now as
CADRaster's: RCLOSE, RON, ROFF commands,
- frame of raster image is controlled by IMAGEFRAME command.
5. Diagnostics of CADRaster initialization procedure has been improved.
6. Raster image regeneration has been improved while opening DWG file with
Paper Space active.
7. The ClearDrawOrder command has been added as a technical support for the users
that have problems with raster image displaying order. This command is available
under AutoCAD R14 only.
8. The RImport command has been added to support conversion of AutoCAD raster
image objects to CADRaster ones.
9. CADRaster's Magnifying Glass and Snap options state (enabled/disabled)
is now preserved between AutoCAD's sessions.
A.8. New features added in CADRaster PRO version 4.32:
------------------------------------------------------
1. Relative paths names
Subdocuments in the TCD document can be stored with path names
relative to theirs owner.
2. Network installation
3. The RSplit command
The RSplit command creates a new TCD compound document containing
splitted raster images.
4. Diagnostic mode
You can run CADRaster in "Diagnostic mode" to collect information
which facilitate identification of encountered problem.
A.9. New features added in CADRaster PRO version 4.20:
------------------------------------------------------
1. Support for AutoCAD Rel. 14.
2. To print hybrid raster/vector drawings you have to use
CADRaster PRO Printer Driver by Tessel Systems. Under AutoCAD 14
it is also possible to print directly through AutoCAD's
Default System Printer driver. However is such case CADRaster PRO
printing options 'Merge printout colors' and 'Use image colors
when printing' will not be used.
3. Reference to CADRaster PRO image is now stored inside foreground
DWG file. See technical notes for further discussion of the feature.
4. Under AutoCAD Rel. 14 some CADRaster PRO configuration options
concerning image palette are disabled.
B.1. Support for vector formats
-------------------------------
In CADRaster 4.31 and all newer versions HPGL vector format is not
supported. Unfortunately that information was not changed in
CADRaster documentation.