Connecting to a Raster Image through the FDO

I saw a question about this today and I figured it would be quick enough to write a short post about it. I thought maybe I had seen Murph post about this before, but I couldn’t find it.

Very simply- you can insert raster images into Civil 3D using the Map tools two different ways.

You can mapinsert the image (also Map>Image>Insert for those of you in a menu version).

Click on the image below to see an animation of the process.

Or you can connect to the image using the FDO.

Click on the image below to see an animation of the process.

You may notice better performance when connecting to the image rather than inserting it.

It’s easier to transform multiple images from one coordinate system to another using the FDO. Using Map 3D, you’d have to create a warehouse drawing at one coordinate system and query the images into a second drawing applying the transformation. Raster Design makes that a bit easier, but it’s still a pretty heavy process. Using the FDO, you do get more visibility and style options, and you can use the Display Manager to control things. (You also can use tricks for image transparency like Murph shows here.)

More about image insertion and image connection:

Using Drawing Based Image Source (very detailed post showing how to query images and more)

Getting Images into AutoCAD Map 3D via FDO (Step by step of what I show above, applies to both Map 3D and Civil 3D)

Speed up Large Datasets with Tiled Raster

CAD and GIS (Translation and FDO)

AU Online Class: Raster Images for Mapping and Land Development Professionals

For more on CAD, Civil 3D and GIS integration, be sure to subscribe to these blogs:

CAD and GIS Integration

geoExpressions: An Engineer's Perspective on CAD and GIS integration 

geoExpressions youtube channel for tutorial videos on buffers, and GIS in LEED-ND

Comments

[Murph]

Murph hasn't posted anything on the FDO vs. Map Image insert because he's still deciding on what is the best method. He thinks it's more as "What" do you want to do with it after you get it in your dwg.

[Northern Cad]

I have a lot of trouble connecting to rasters through FDO. For the most part I just skip it. I usually have access to Geo Tiffs from Digital Globe and they just come in green like DEMS but they aren't. I've played around with the styles for the layers but I just end up falling back to Map Image Insert. Is there something I'm missing?

[Mark Spatz]

Has the FDO connection to images been fixed in 2010? In 2009, ever time you open the drawing it re-layers the image on whatever layer is current when the files is being opened. That is no good and really preventing us from using the FDO connection option.

Also, in 2009 the display order is a little tricky. You need to connect to the image, add it so the map, and then adjust the display order using the Map --> Display Manager tab. Once you do that you need to completely close 2009 and re-open it before you see the display order adjustments take affect.

[Mark]

In '09 using the FDO if you try and connect to a directory that contains many images you're out of luck.

[tony]

Do you know if civil 3d 2009 can support jpeg2 files? I am having problems insert this format into civil 3d 2009. i can do it in civil 3d 2010.

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