topic Re: Tool palette image icon file size issues in AutoCAD Forum

Tool palette image icon file size issues

Anonymous — Fri, 08 May 2020 14:13:41 GMT

I am creating a custom tool palette.
I created custom icons both light and dark versions in adobe illustrator and saved out as PNG files. I then select the images in the tool palette image option both light and dark. Autocad then auto-generates images and uses those instead of the originals I created.

The Problem:

Over time, the auto generated images become HUGE in file size (upwards of 64 mg), which severely slows down the tool palette propagation when selected. I have gone in and adjusted the file size in photoshop, but the auto-gen feature in Autocad keeps recreating and increasing file size.

I am "guessing" this happens when the end use selects 'view options' on the tool palette and changes the image size.

Anyone encounter this issue?
Any ideas for work arounds?

Autocad 2020.1.2

Windows 10

Re: Tool palette image icon file size issues

pendean — Fri, 08 May 2020 17:56:40 GMT

AutoCAD's ToolPalette creation does not require you to "... created custom icons both light and dark versions ..." at all.

Perhaps you are calling something else in the interface "toolpalettes"?

Re: Tool palette image icon file size issues

Anonymous — Fri, 08 May 2020 18:17:51 GMT

I have quite a few custom programs I have in the tool palette that I created descriptive images for the function of the utility. Autocad will not create those graphics for me. It will allow you to use text as a descriptor, but I want my UI to be pleasing to work with, Using a tool 100+ times a day, I want it to be a good experience.

Re: Tool palette image icon file size issues

cadffm — Fri, 08 May 2020 19:08:07 GMT

If i am right, away from keyboard, i think it isn't usual that Acad rewrite the png, unless the files & links inside the atc files are correct.

Do you know when Acads creating new files?

You forces this, but by which step?

Hmm

Your TP path is set to "Path-X"

your palette ATC files are in a sub-directory palettes and PNGs are located in another sub-directory Images?

Just a question, because i saw issues if not.

Re: Tool palette image icon file size issues

Anonymous — Tue, 12 May 2020 13:07:14 GMT

I have not sure when Autocad Does this. I will run some experiments to find out.

Thank you for the response.

Re: Tool palette image icon file size issues

Anonymous — Tue, 12 May 2020 13:34:39 GMT

I just ran some tests on a png file created at 201px x 201px

(no magic to the 201px, I originally started with a 48px image but grabbed an existing one to experiment)

Creating a new palette command I picked both the light and dark version of the png file.

I then changed the color theme in Autocad from 'Dark' to 'Light and back again.

I then viewed the ToolPalette/Palettes/Images directory

There are the two images that were created by Autocad (with today's date)

Doing this with the dark theme active, it created the dark theme png file that expanded to 804k (quadrupling the original size)

The light theme version that was created was at 402k. (doubling the original size)

Thank you for your response.

Re: Tool palette image icon file size issues

qnologi — Tue, 12 May 2020 14:35:16 GMT

"I have quite a few custom programs"

Can these be done with a .lsp?

Re: Tool palette image icon file size issues

Anonymous — Wed, 13 May 2020 13:43:54 GMT

Not sure what you are saying here. Create the image files with lsp?

I have thought to edit the .atc files directly but that would be a lot of work.

Any other thoughts?

Re: Tool palette image icon file size issues

qnologi — Wed, 13 May 2020 13:47:13 GMT

I was wondering if any of the functionality of the "I have quite a few custom programs" could be done with the help of a .lsp routine?

Re: Tool palette image icon file size issues

Anonymous — Wed, 13 May 2020 14:20:25 GMT

Yes, the custom programming is all in lsp.

Re: Tool palette image icon file size issues

RDunkley — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 05:55:55 GMT

I am having the same issue..? Has anyone else come across this or have a solution?

Re: Tool palette image icon file size issues

Valentin_CAD — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 10:58:25 GMT

@RDunkley ,

The Button Image allows you to export as (*.bmp; *.rle, or *.dib).

To Create or Edit a Button Image (link)

Although the properties will allow you to select a *.png file, I would prefer one of the above format.

Also, take in consideration the pixels for "Small images" (16 X 16 pixels) and "Large image" (32 X 32 pixels).

Also consider the suggestions on this link:

My AutoCAD file size keeps growing! (link)