Expert: Bill DeShawn - 7/10/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi.
(i am a surveyor and use autocad for layout/plotting/plan geom. etc)
I tried to insert (embedding?) a JPG image on one of my drawings. I use Autocad 2000LT in my office. I scanned this page from the Plans to insert (in the background) of my work on autocad. My goal was to be able to show my work with plan document in the background. I couldn't do it because i couldn't rotate the scanned image to fit the right coordinates (of my work). I used another computer with autocad 2005(full-i guess) installed on it, and i found this (new) option "image manager" on it that allowed me to rotate and fit the plan document (image). I saved it (in 2000LT format) on a flash drive and tried to open it on the previous computer (with 2000LT on it) and all it shows is the file path (of JPEG Plan Page) in the center of the drawing.
Is this because i have LT and i need full version? or is there anything i am missing?

I'll appreciate any help. Thank you.

ANSWER: Zia:

I shared this question with some people that use LT and I trust their opinions implicitly.  They are Dean and Kate:

Except for LT2009, no other version offers any Image Manager type ability.

You will need to insert the image as an OLE object: basically the copy/paste
content  from two open applications method.

--
Dean Saadallah
http://LTisACAD.blogspot.com
Add-on products for LT
http://www.pendean.com/lt
--



Did you include the image file when you moved the DWG file? Try putting both
files in the same folder & see if it shows up.

--
Kate Morrical
AutoCAD LT Technical Marketing Manager
http://blogs.autodesk.com/ltunlimited


Keep the dialog going and let's solve the problem.

Bill DeShawn
http://my.sterling.net/~bdeshawn


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dean, Kate:

You're right. i didn't put it in the same folder before. It does show up after its in the folder (or at least somewhere on the hard drive) but each time i open the file, i have to give it that path to the image - which means it's not truly embedded - but i have noticed that it's not the case with 2005 full version - which shows the image everytime i open the file without specifying the path. Is that because of the difference between LT and full version? Also, i see that i can attach image as an OLE object in LT but i cant rotate and stretch/squeeze it unless i use full version autocad to attach a tiff/jpeg file and rotate it at least once before opening it on LT - is that because LT lacks that ability?

Thanks for your reply.

Answer
"Chisel" says:
There are 2 ways to put images into LT CutnPaste (embedded) or attach (not embedded) Ie. separate file.
You will have the same problems with XRef's if they aren't in the correct directory. Therefore alway put associated files from 3rd parties in the same directory so that autocad can find them.


My comment:
This means that it's a good idea to use the image manager that comes up with the IMAGE command to insert the image if you want to rotate and stretch it.  As an OLE, you're right.  It doesn't work as smoothly.  It's not just LT.  

Keep in touch
Bill DeShawn
http://my.sterling.net/~bdeshawn