Project: HiCAD Basics

Pixel Graphics

Pixel graphics or EMF files (Enhanced Meta Files) can also be inserted into the HiCAD drawing.

Insert pixel graphic
Visualisation of pixel graphics
Storage location of pixel graphics

Insert pixel graphic

Drawing > Insert Part > Exp. > Bitmap

Pixel graphics in BMP, GIF, PCX, TIF and JPG formats as well as EMF files can be inserted into the drawing. These may include company or product logos etc. To insert such graphics, proceed as follows:

On the Drawing tab, select Insert Part > Exp.. > Bitmap.
The Open file window is displayed.
Now select the desired file and click OK to exit the input window.
If the Preview option is active, a preview of the file is displayed on the right-hand side of the input window.
Instead of an existing graphics file, you can also scan in images and integrate them into the drawing. To do this, click the Scanner icon. This then starts the scan program installed on your computer.

If you have selected/scanned the image, click Open.

Specify the position and size of the graphic by defining a rectangle by means of two diagonally opposite corner points.

Please note:

Pixel graphics are only visible in the drawing and during printing if they have also been selected as visible.
ALGPAR.DAT also defines whether the pixel graphic is saved in the drawing or whether the drawing merely has a link to the pixel graphic. The default setting is "Save in the drawing".

Visualisation of pixel graphics

Pixel graphics are only visible in the drawing and during printing if they have also been selected as visible. To make pixel graphics visible, perform the following steps:

Select Drawing > Others > Show/Hide, Via element type .
Use the Bitmap checkbox to define whether the graphic will be displayed or not .
Click OK to exit the Element type window.

Furthermore, bitmap files and other pixel graphics which you insert into your drawing can be positioned either in front of or behind the geometry. Use the Extras > Temporary settings > Bitmap representation function to make this choice.

Default parameters for new Bitmaps

Applies to all subsequently loaded pixel graphics

Change parameters for active bitmap

Applies to the active pixel graphic

The settings specified here here apply only to the current HiCAD session. To change the setting permanently, open the Configuration Editor (ISDConfigEditor.exe), select ... > System settings > Representation, and set the parameter Bitmap in front of/behind drawing accordingly. Dfault setting is 1 (in front of drawing, i.e. visible).

Storage location of the pixel graphics

You use the system file ALGPAR.DAT in the HiCAD SYS directory, namely the entry

Bitmaps 0=external / 1=internal,

to define whether the pixel graphic is saved in the drawing or whether the drawing merely contains a link to the pixel graphic. The default setting is 1, i.e. the graphic is saved in the drawing.

If you want to save only a link to the pixel graphic in the drawing, you need to change the following setting in ALGPAR.DAT:

Bitmaps 0=external / 1=internal
0

In this case, path, file name and position of an imported pixel graphic are saved as text in layer 0 in the drawing. If you show layer 0, you can use the normal 2D Text Processing function to change the path. Furthermore, you can predefine the physical drive/ physical path for bitmap files in ALGPAR.DAT.

Physical drive/ path for bitmaps (including':') ('-'=take over)
-

Syntax
-	Drive and path are taken over from the bitmap file.
Drive:	The drive is taken over from ALGPAR.DAT, the path from the bitmap file. (The drive letter, e.g. C:, needs to be indicated instead of drive)
Drive:\Path	Drive and path are taken over from ALGPAR.DAT (the drive letter needs to be indicated instead of drive and the directory name, e.g. C:\BILDER instead of path)

Visualisation Settings • Create Pixel Graphic

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