Aerial Background Issues

[OGonzalezFAF8V]

We routinely use high resolution aerial images as backgrounds in our plan and profile sheets.  This makes my drawing extremely hard to work with.  It slows them down considerably.  From what I am told microstation drawings can deal with images and it does not affect the drawings at all.  I hate to think that autodesk can't do the same.  Any suggestions on how to attach large high resolution images so they don't negatively affect my drawings.

[Jeew-m]

Hi OGonzalezFAF8V,

I hope these two links might have something for you.

Link 1

Link 2

Thanks

[samir_rezk]

Hi @OGonzalezFAF8V 

I would recommend connecting to your aerial imagery if possible rather than attaching the image. Use AutoCAD Map FDO connection (mapconnect Command) to create a Raster Image connection. This way your image won't decrease your drawing performance

here is a link for further reading if interested: https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad-map-3d/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2018/EN...

Hope this helps,

[OGonzalezFAF8V]

@samir_rezk ,

I've tried connecting to images using FDO in the past.  This does not work because we add the images to a master base file and reference the master into our sheets.  The FDO connected image is not visible when referenced into a drawing.  Much the same way that a image inserted through geolocation can't be referenced into another sheet.  

FYI.. we use a master base file to make changes in large sets more efficient.  I apologize for not sharing that information sooner.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

What format are the Aerial Images?  You need to use a .ECW format.  Its a compressed format like Mr. Sid but doesnt cost to format.  You loose about 10% of your resolution but it will compress the file by 90% so you should be able to load 100s of them.  Of course you want to have a gaming video card.....that'll help out a lot.  

[OGonzalezFAF8V]

@Anonymous ,

What do you recommend for converting the .tif files to .ecw?

[Anonymous]

I'm pretty sure Globalmapper is what the guys use....I'll need to double check with the guys and get back with you.  If you ever need any aerial work holler at us.  We fly all over the US. 

[Anonymous]

Checked with the guys and global mapper is what you want.....its relatively cheap. 

[OGonzalezFAF8V]

Hi @Anonymous ,

Thanks for looking into this.  I appreciate it, now I'll have to learn how to use it.