[Mstn CE] Should Raster Files behave like Referenced Files?

Hi,

I get very frustrated when working with attached raster files.  To me, they seem like they should be the same as reference file.

With the referenced files, you use the tools in the References Dialog box to manipulate the reference.  Unless you turn Locate on, none of the normal element tools do anything to reference files.  You can even turn on Locate and "Treat Attachment as Element for Manipulation" and have the referenced file act as a single standard element.  You can also turn on/off the display of a reference file with a single click.  References files seem easy to use.

With Raster Files, I don't know how to turn locate off.  When they are displayed, they keep responding to normal commands (move, copy, delete).  Also, if I click on a raster, then turn off its display in a view, select a couple element and hit "delete", I don't see that the raster file gets deleted.  If I have certain tools selected (trim, break element, etc.), when I go to the Raster Manager dialog box, I can't select the raster files.  Also, if I want to turn off the display of a raster file, I have to 1) get out of the current command that I'm working with, 2) select the raster, 3) turn off the display for all the views that I have open, 4) unselect the raster (which I always forget, 5) start my tool again.  With a reference file, I can do all that with one click.

Are my frustrations with the Raster Manager and raster files justified?  Would it make sense that a raster file should behave the same way as a reference file?  Is there anything that I'm missing?

--Thanks,
--Robert Arnold

  • Hi Robert,

    I get very frustrated when working with attached raster files.

    Yes, it can happen easily. In my opinion the main problem is that raster files have gone through several iterations of implementation and technologies (plus necessary compatibility with AutoCAD ideas ha been added also), so they are now a bit weird animals, not references, not elements, but a mixture of features.

    To me, they seem like they should be the same as reference file.

    No, they are not, and they have never been. Rasters are closer to elements, not to references.

    Are my frustrations with the Raster Manager and raster files justified?

    I think the problem is that there are several different ways how to use rasters, offering similar, but not the same set of features. What approach is the best depends on many things (type of rasters, how they are used, type of project...). What I usually do (unsorted thoughts, not specific for CE):

    • When there are more rasters (e.g. set of ortophotos), move it to separate DGN (or model at least) and to attach it as reference.
    • [User preferences > Raster Manager] Disable Delete ... this is often enough to solve the most of confusions (delete means detach the reference), but the same effect can be done using locked level (see below).
    • [User preferences > Raster Manager] Create and configure special level for rasters only. It helps a lot to control the rasters visibility without a need to open Raster Manager dialog. It also helps to manage raster priorities when not Front / Back planes are used.
    • [Level Manager] Lock the "raster level" ... it's the alternative to "Disable Delete". When the rasters are attached and not modified often, I prefer this way, because when I attach a raster, it's placed automatically to the locked level and I do not worry about accidental move, delete or whatever else. But the locked level is still printed, can be switched on/off etc. What is confusing sometimes that anything should be modified in Raster Manager dialog, the level has to be unlocked.
    With a reference file, I can do all that with one click.

    I think when you will treat the rasters as elements and will use dedicated level(s) for them, to control visibility is to switch on/off level, which is one click ;-)

    With regards,

      Jan

    Answer Verified By: RobertArnold 

  • [Level Manager] Lock the "raster level" ... it's the alternative to "Disable Delete". When the rasters are attached and not modified often, I prefer this way,

    I prefer this way also when I am performing some one-off tasks, but when we work with raster files for a project they are housed in their own file and that file gets referenced.

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  • Hi Jan,

    Attaching them as nested references is a very good idea.  That is probably the secret that would help.  Thanks for your suggestions.

    --Robert

  • another good reason to create a dgn as the Holding  file for rasters to be attached later as a reference file thro the ref manager is some rasters cannot be clipped like ECW files but if they are in a dgn ref file the ref file can be clipped thro the ref manager. also you can change brightness etc in the ref file... this is how I attach rasters 99% of the time even logos I attach to the ref file title block dgn.

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