I have a bitonal BMP file with simple linework. The image appears properly in 2015, with only the linework opaque. The background is not visible and does not print. The BMP is completely opaque when the drawing is opened in 2016. I cannot find any differences in the settings for the inserted object or ACAD configuration. I'm obviously missing something.
Solved! Go to Solution.
Solved by Victoria.Studley. Go to Solution.
Hi @mkrones,
Do you have other bitonal images that display as expected in 2016? Or does this happen to all bitonal BMPs?
Could you post a sample drawing and image file for testing purposes? (If you don't feel comfortable posting to the forum thread, you can upload the file directly to your case via your Autodesk Account instead.)
I don't have other bitonal images.
The BMP file is 8MB, too large for uploading through this message. How do I send it through my Autodesk account?
Hi @mkrones,
Thank you for sending your files via your support case. I want to follow up here with a public resolution for your thread, so that other customers who encounter this issue can find the solution as well.
When the BMP image file is attached to an AutoCAD 2016 drawing, the foreground and background are reversed, which is why transparency doesn't appear to do anything.
To work around this issue:
I've logged this issue with the development team on your behalf to have it investigated.
If you logged the issue to "have it investigated" does that imply they may correct the issue with a service pack or the next release once they agree it is a valid bug? If so, I would like to point you to a much older thread I found last year when I first encountered this issue. http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-2013-2014-2015-2016-2017/raster-images/m-p/5757008#M89598. Over the past 10+ years, we estblished a considerable number of files that reference BMP images that are now seriously inconvenient to work with. To suggest all users go through their formerly acceptable drawings and laboriously modfiy them to fix what appears to be either a major oversight, or just an arbitrary change in programming, is absurd. Autodesk should justify the change before requiring a work around. Unfortunately, not dealing with it for 5 releases has allowed how many other users to establish their drawings based around the new way AutoCAD displays BMP files? To change now would just mess them up, too. It's a lose-lose situation.
The problem is NOT solved...this is an awkward work-around at best. Please stop 'fixing'things that aren't broken!
I guess I'm a bit confused by what just happened here. We've got thousands of files, and many details that are in various image formats spanning many different jobs that themselves span many years of development.
AFTER we change everybody to 2017 (because the new DWG format needs us all on the same version), I discover that many of our details sheets won't plot correctly because the BMPs plot solid black now.
Proposing that we open our jobs, identify the BMPs attached, then open MS Paint, convert them to a new format (I'd prefer .PNGs, and we use them for all newer images), and then RESIZE them all on the paper space (because the images physically change sizes or origins whether I like it or not) causes much work and incurs much cost on every single project (not to mention impacts delivery time frames on crunch projects with 200+ sheets). Is there a programming reason that BMPs are treated differently all of a sudden?
I'm with the user above. Please don't 'fix' unbroken issues.
Just installed ACAD 2021. Looks like Autodesk finally fixed this. Too bad I inverted all of my BMPs years ago. Now they all print black again. Thanks, Autodesk!
Good to know. A small consolation for still having to work with one of the most poorly designed software programs in the history of computing. Oh, and thanks for placing your shareholders' interests above those of users by implementing a mandatory subscription model...that tells you ALL you need to know about Autodesk's commitment to it's users...
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