topic Re: not displaying ECW Raster image in Viewport Layout when I rotate the map with the Alignspace command in Civil 3D Forum

not displaying ECW Raster image in Viewport Layout when I rotate the map with the Alignspace command

Oliver_C3D — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 16:26:42 GMT

Hi Dears

ECW Raster Image is not displayed when I recently rotate the map with the Alignspace command in the Viewport Layout.
where is the problem from?

Thanks dears

Re: not displaying ECW Raster image in Viewport Layout when I rotate the map with the Alignspace command

Pointdump — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 18:07:51 GMT

Hi Oliver,
That problem has been around for a few years. Your only options are to rotate in only 90-degree increments, or use >>>GeoViewer<<< to re-save as a Tiff.
Dave

Re: not displaying ECW Raster image in Viewport Layout when I rotate the map with the Alignspace command

Oliver_C3D — Thu, 07 Apr 2022 18:18:20 GMT

I have done this several times before in different projects with different eras, but this time, unfortunately, this problem occurred!

@Pointdump

Re: not displaying ECW Raster image in Viewport Layout when I rotate the map with the Alignspace command

Oliver_C3D — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 08:41:55 GMT

The reason I do not use the Tiff format is due to its large volume and slow loading, which is a big weakness

@Pointdump

Re: not displaying ECW Raster image in Viewport Layout when I rotate the map with the Alignspace command

Pointdump — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 14:10:27 GMT

Oliver,
"...Tiff format...large volume and slow loading..."
Reduce resolution or crop to your area of interest. You really don't have a lot of options if you want to rotate.
Suggest you open a support ticket with Autodesk.
Dave

Re: not displaying ECW Raster image in Viewport Layout when I rotate the map with the Alignspace command

Oliver_C3D — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 16:02:17 GMT

thanks @Pointdump

Re: not displaying ECW Raster image in Viewport Layout when I rotate the map with the Alignspace command

ChicagoLooper — Sat, 09 Apr 2022 02:39:22 GMT

Don't use ALIGNSPACE. The ECW format is a georeferenced image. It has the projection built into the image itself and this means you don't need a World file to georeference the image. The image can be added to your drawing using an FDO connection and this connection, when used properly, will (a) scale, (b) rotate and (c) position the image accurately. If you don't use the projection built into the ECW, then you are treating the image as though you are working in Plain Vanilla AutoCAD. The ECW image format is a step up and your workflow (your skill set) should step up with it.

Use MAPCONNECT

Instead of ALIGNSPACE, use a data connection. Add the ecw as a Feature Data Objec (FDO) using MAPCONNECT from the AutoCAD Map3D Toolset.

Use MAPWSPACE

Use Map Task Pane from MAPWSPACE to 'reduce' the image. Right click the raster layer in the task pane and use 'Resample Raster' to decrease the north-south and the east-west extents of the raster.

ROTATE UCS

Instead of ALIGNSPACE command, rotate the viewport's UCS. Rotating a UCS in one VP doesn't affect modelspace. Modelspace will still remain in World Coordinate. The UCS in one VP doesn't affect the rotation of other VPs--other VPs will remain in World Coordinates--unless of course you rotate those VPs too.

HERE'S AN EXAMPLE:

An ECW is added as an FDO. The Data Connect Palette is on the right and Map Task Pane on the left. See Image-1.

Image-1

Zoom in on the image=>Right click the ECW layer in the Map Task Pane and select Resample Raster. See Image-2

In this example, a zoom-in is performed. Only a skinny narrow portion on the eastern edge of the ECW remains displayed 'on-screen.' The Resample will effectively limit the extents of the ECW. It's not cropping the ECW (even though it behaves like a cropped image) it's just resampling the ECW to the portion that's visible on-screen. The off-screen parts are hidden or not displayed. You can get as creative as you want when displaying and hiding parts of your ECW. When you resample like this exercise you decrease the amount of pixels to be displayed and depending on the size of your resample, your performance can improve significantly despite the latency typically associated with an ECW.

Image-2

Zoom-out and you'll see the result after Resampling the ECW. See Image-3.

Image-3

Go to Layout Tab. Next, activate your Viewport then follow steps 1 through 4. See Image-4

Image-4

With the viewport still activated, rotate the viewport's UCS. In this example, step 6 entails 2 clicks: (a) at 0,0 and (b) a point that's directly on the x-axis' positive side. The red x- and y-axes don't have to be drawn, they are imaginary and have only been added for demonstration purposes. You can select any angle of rotation. See Image-5. When rotating the UCS, make sure your VP is activated and unlocked.

Image-5

When you go back to modelspace, you'll see the rotation was only applied to your viewport. The rotation didn't affect the orientation of the ECW in modelspace.

Re: not displaying ECW Raster image in Viewport Layout when I rotate the map with the Alignspace command

hlimCSSAB — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 02:59:44 GMT

I have been struggling with this problem and somehow encountered a solution.

Right-click on the ecw image and select convert to grid layer and it worked for me!!!!
Idk if it was just a coincidence but I hope this can be helpful.

Re: not displaying ECW Raster image in Viewport Layout when I rotate the map with the Alignspace command

plantpower — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 21:37:20 GMT

I have no idea why this worked, but it's literally the easiest solution.

Re: not displaying ECW Raster image in Viewport Layout when I rotate the map with the Alignspace command

Arnold_UlgasanHCZLS — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 05:52:43 GMT

Command=Perspective inside the Viewport and set the value = 1

Re: not displaying ECW Raster image in Viewport Layout when I rotate the map with the Alignspace command

Oliver_C3D — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 02:59:36 GMT

Thanks @Arnold_UlgasanHCZLS
Let me try it and will get back with the result!