topic Re: Transparency issue in images from xrefs in AutoCAD Forum

Transparency issue in images from xrefs

Karadzhaian_Eduard — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 20:35:00 GMT

Hi,

I have a drawing including an image.

I turn on the transparency of image. Then I want use this drawing as a Xref in different file.

When I did it - transparency settings have been lost. Also I try to print drawing using transparency - but it didn`t help.

See the screencast below

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/ru/community/screencast/44ba3e90-4916-46b4-8342-3cf26de7c298

I`m waiting for help. Also I attached my file.

Re: Transparency issue in images from xrefs

john.vellek — Tue, 05 Jun 2018 15:20:44 GMT

Hi @Karadzhaian_Eduard

From My understanding, the Transparency of the background for images is dependent on the type of image you are you using. For instance, I used your file and reset it to black/white and saved it as a PNG. Since the transparency works on Bitonal images, the original was not showing the transparency.

To illustrate this, I used my version of your file (now b/w and saved as PNG and also attached a colored JPG of myself). As you can see in this image, the transparency of the background works on the bitonal image but not the jpg. To get the transparency to plot, you also need to make sure that Plot Transparency is selected.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

Re: Transparency issue in images from xrefs

john.vellek — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 22:01:54 GMT

Hi @Karadzhaian_Eduard,

I am checking back to see if my post helped you with your problem or question. Please mark my post as the solution if it resolved the issue or give me a bit more detail on this issue so we can continue to work towards getting this solved.

Please hit the Accept as Solution button if a post or posts solves your issue or answers your question.

Re: Transparency issue in images from xrefs

tboehler — Wed, 06 Jun 2018 22:49:55 GMT

There is also a tranparency setting to the layer the image is on (or by entity). This can show items under the image (can be done to most entities as well). You can also fade or add brightness to the image to lighen it - letting the important info stand out. These are different then setting a background tranparency to the image. I thought this may give you alternative process - the image background is white anyways.

See image - items on right are under image - items on left are on top of image.

Re: Transparency issue in images from xrefs

Karadzhaian_Eduard — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 11:52:47 GMT

@john.vellek, thank you for help.

I have several questons:

1) How did you make bitonal image? Using Raster Design?

2) I know all properties for printing transparent object. But if I have a xref with transparent settings (I use Xref where has been imported the image with option transparent on - this option doesn`t work - as a result I have a file (.pdf etc.) with black/white background. I can print file correctly in target (first) file, but not in second (where I use first file like an xref)

This screen is from first file with function transparent background ON.

Re: Transparency issue in images from xrefs

Karadzhaian_Eduard — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 11:54:31 GMT

@john.vellek, also I don`t want to make this picture bitonal - customer wants to work with colorful picture.

Re: Transparency issue in images from xrefs

ChicagoLooper — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 12:44:35 GMT

Do not bring in the image as an xref. The transparency function you use doesn't work on xrefs. Bring the image in directly so you can have the transparency. function. If you have Raster Design, it also has a command to export a world file. The world file will work in harmony with the image so when the image is inserted again and again, the world file will place it in its correct geospatial location, which in effect will make the image behave like an xref.

Re: Transparency issue in images from xrefs

Karadzhaian_Eduard — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 14:18:40 GMT

@ChicagoLooper, Hello

I need to use these raster in xrefs because:

1) this is geo-base and all staff need to use this .dwg;

2) We haven`t Raster Design and Civil 3D License on any PC, people with AutoCAD need to use this raster already (how they can do it without Raster Tools and Map 3D functionality?) I don`t know any decision.

Re: Transparency issue in images from xrefs

ChicagoLooper — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 16:05:55 GMT

OK, I understand. This can be solved. This is not a transparency issue, this is a how-to-make-the-black-areas-of-the-map-disappear issue. Try this:

Draw a closed polygon outlining the area of the map you wish to keep (red line). You don't have to hatch the yellow areas, they merely represent the black portions you want to make invisible.Draw the clipping boundary, the red line.
Clip the image. Go to INSERT tab, REFERENCE panel, CLIP button.invoke the CLIP command.
Select object to clip=>select the edge of the map
Clipping option=>choose NEW
Clip=>choose SELECT POLYLINE option
Select polyline=>using mouse click the Red line (the black portions will disappear)
Either DELETE the red line or TURN OFF the red line's layer.
SAVE this .dwg and use it as an XREF.

This is the map after clipping.

Re: Transparency issue in images from xrefs

john.vellek — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 16:21:15 GMT

Hi @tboehler,

To create the bi-tonal, I used Photoshop. It sounds like you don't really want a bi-tonal however from your later post.

Re: Transparency issue in images from xrefs

tboehler — Fri, 08 Jun 2018 17:25:17 GMT

Is your goal to simply get rid of the black areas - like the attached?

If so, clip the image in CAD like mentioned in a previous post. Or, open it in an image editor and crop out the black (like the attachment). Either way is super quick.

Re: Transparency issue in images from xrefs

john.vellek — Wed, 13 Jun 2018 22:48:49 GMT

Hi @Karadzhaian_Eduard,

I am checking back to see if my post or others helped you with your problem. Please mark a post or posts as accepted solutions if they resolved the issue or give me a bit more detail on this issue so we can continue to work towards getting this solved.

Please hit the Accept as Solution button if a post or posts solves your issue or answers your question.

Re: Transparency issue in images from xrefs

Karadzhaian_Eduard — Sun, 05 Aug 2018 21:42:33 GMT

@john.vellek

@ChicagoLooper

Thank you for help!