How Do I Export an Image From AutoCAD?

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AutoCAD is a powerful software that allows you to create, edit, and manipulate 2D and 3D designs. Whether you’re an architect, engineer, or designer, at some point, you may need to export an image from AutoCAD for various purposes such as presentations, reports, or sharing with clients. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of exporting an image from AutoCAD.

Step 1: Opening your drawing in AutoCAD

To begin with, launch AutoCAD and open the drawing file from which you want to export an image. You can either open an existing file or create a new one if needed.

Step 2: Adjusting the view

Before exporting the image, it’s essential to adjust the view in AutoCAD to capture the desired portion of your drawing. You can zoom in or out using the Zoom tool or pan across the drawing using the Pan tool. Make sure that you have selected the appropriate view that you want to export.

Step 3: Configuring the plot settings

Now it’s time to configure the plot settings for exporting the image. To do this:

  • Option 1: Type “PLOT” in the command line and press Enter. This will open the Plot dialog box.
  • Option 2: Alternatively, you can use the shortcut command “Ctrl+P” to directly open the Plot dialog box.

Once you have opened the Plot dialog box:

  1. Select a printer/plotter from the “Name” drop-down list. If you intend to export only an image file format (e.g., JPG or PNG) and not print it, you can choose a virtual plotter or printer.
  2. Choose the desired paper size from the “Paper Size” drop-down list. This selection will depend on the size and resolution you want for your exported image.
  3. Under the “Plot Area” section, select “Window” and ensure that the “Fit to Paper” option is unchecked.
  4. In the “Plot Scale” section, make sure that the scale is set to 1:1 for an accurate representation of your drawing.
  5. Under the “Plot Offset” section, leave all values as zero to avoid any unnecessary shifts in your exported image.

Step 4: Choosing the output format

In this step, you need to choose the desired output format for your exported image. AutoCAD provides various formats such as JPG, PNG, TIFF, BMP, and PDF. To select a specific format:

  1. Click on the “Properties” button in the Plot dialog box.
  2. In the Plotter Configuration Editor window that appears:
    • For JPG: Select a plotter with “.jpg” extension from the list of available plotters.

      If not available, click on “Add-A-Plotter Wizard” and follow the instructions to add a new plotter with “.jpg” extension.

    • For PNG: Select a plotter with “.png” extension from the list of available plotters. If not available, click on “Add-A-Plotter Wizard” and follow the instructions to add a new plotter with “.png” extension.
    • For other formats: Select the appropriate plotter from the list or add a new plotter using the “Add-A-Plotter Wizard. “

Step 5: Plotting and saving the image

Now that you have configured all the necessary settings, it’s time to plot and save your image. Follow these steps:

  1. Click on the “OK” button in the Plot dialog box to return to the main AutoCAD window.
  2. In the main AutoCAD window:
    • Type “PLOT” in the command line and press Enter.
    • Alternatively, use the shortcut command “Ctrl+P” to open the Plot dialog box again.

Note: If you want to save only a specific portion of your drawing, make sure to select “Window” under “Plot Area.” Adjust the window size and position as needed.

  1. In the Plot dialog box, click on the “Preview” button to see a preview of your plotted image. Ensure that everything looks as expected.
  2. Finally, click on the “OK” button in the Plot dialog box to start plotting and saving your image in the selected format.

Congratulations! You have successfully exported an image from AutoCAD. Now you can locate and use your exported image file for various purposes.

In conclusion, exporting an image from AutoCAD is a straightforward process that involves adjusting views, configuring plot settings, choosing output formats, and plotting/saving your image. By following these steps carefully, you can create high-quality images for presentations, reports, or sharing with others.