Expert: Bob - 1/23/2008

Question
Hello Bob,

I am running AutoCAD LT 2008 on a DELL machine on 2.8GHz CPU processor, 2GB RAM running Windows XP. I have AutoCAD LT 2008 and Corel PaintShop Pro X installed, in addition to MS-Office 2003.

The problem I am getting is when I try to copy a picture from Corel and pasting it to a drawing in AutoCAD, after saving the drawing and re-opening, I get a blank white rectangle where the picture used to be before I closed the drawing.

I have tried experimenting with a few different formats like JPEG, BMP, PDF but the same thing occurs. I have also tried the different methods like Paste, Paste Special and Import.

Any ideas?

Thank you.

Answer
You told me all about your computer, but nothing about yourself and your experience, as my profile asks. The computer specs would be relevant if you were asking about crashing or slow operations.
I am going to assume you are self taught, no book. That is normally a terrible idea.  If you had a good book on AutoCAD next to the computre and followed the lessons, you would save a lot of time and have better drawings. Also use HELP religiously.

Try typing INSERT -- it will give you choices. Select the file (not an open image in another program: save it and close it) (IMAGEATTACH asks directly for an image)

You can also copy and paste an image file  (NOT something displayed onscreen by whatever other program)into your drawing --- or even drag it.  Read up in HELP on how to manipulate the image and its frame.

The other main point is that you made the assumption (if I read you correctly that you could copy an paste an open file from within a program to AutoCAD. I am not sure why you thought this.

I am not chastising you to be a smarty pants. I want you to see that it is good not to stick to  assumptions and to respect that some programs need you to follow training, for you to get them right.  My point is for you to see how to avoid going wrong, and how to find your own answers quickly.
That is how I build confidence in using programs.

I hope this helps.

BOB