Insert image in Word 2007
We want to insert parts from a CAD drawing and paste it into a Word 2007 document. At this moment we make a HPGL / 2 plot file (from the parts that we want) and convert it to a WMF file. This WMF image is inserted to the Word document. In Word 2003 it worked perfectly.
If the image is 5 inches wide, we get only 2 inches in Word to see. If we then select the image and then click the right mouse button, select "Edit Image". Then the image will be 5 inches wide. The disadvantage is that all lines in the image can be selected now, so chances are possible and that gives the possibility of errors.
What should we do to get a good picture from BricsCAD in Word 2007, so that we still are able to easily crop and resize the image.
ps JPG images are not an option because they don't have enough details.
Comments
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What about printing to PDF ? / Patrik0
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A quick test with PDF was not the solution. I doesn’t give the quality we want. For some images it will be fine, but for other images we get the same problem as with JPG’s. And it is possible to resize, but crop don’t work (visual, when changing the properties it is possible to crop but that takes to much time).
We are looking for a way of working with one type of image that meet the quality we want and doesn’t take a lot of time to learn and to use.
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I use Snagit (screen capture). They have a Cad capture profile that converts black background to white if needed.
Snagit saves to several formats including Word, but it only inserts to new document. Its easy to just paste the capture.0 -
+1 for snagit
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Hi Jan,
I use snagit too, as it is so quick and easy. To get the line weights I often just grab from a print preview, or print to PDF and then grab from there.
Other option is to use Encapsulated Post Script (.EPS). Microsoft word has an importer for this file type. To use add a printer in windows that produces EPS output, such as MS Publisher Imagesetter, which is a generic printer driver in Win 7. When installing the driver make sure you set it to "print to file".
In the past I have used better WMF http://www.furix.com/betterwmf, which is a great utility for copying and pasting to word. Maybe Bricsys people could contact regarding a port to Bricscad :-).
Regards,Jason Bourhill
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What version are you working in ? In recent versions you can just export to wmf. Cropping and resizinging in Word OK.
Patrik
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We have now the solution that fits best for us, thanks to all the reply's on the Bricsys forum and the Microsoft Anwsers forum.
First of all, an explanation off the different tools that are suggested on forums.
* Better WMF from http://www.furix.com/betterwmf, this is a tool that can be used within AutoCAD and BricsCAD. The result is a WMF file that can be used in Word.
* Use an EPS printer driver. There were a few suggestions, but none of them had a good result or you must install software that we do not want to have on the workstations.
* The software Snagit. Great tool, but the output is a pixel image and we defiantly want a vector image.
* WMFout command which are available within the software. Most software have that kind of options, but not all the software we use. The quality from the WMF output deferens, so for all situations we need different instructions how to use and when you got a new software version sometimes the command changes or the result of it.So the only thing we really can rely on is the HPGL/2 output, because of the fact that the end product of a CAD drawing is always a piece of paper. And that paper is produces with a plotter, and all plotters can handle HPGL or HPGL/2. So the only thing we have to do is find a good converter. The following converter are suggested:
- Normica, http://www.normica.com/en/hpgl2_emf. This product we have used in the past for viewing HPGL/2 files. It can handle WMF and EMF output. We tried the EMF and the result with small drawings was good, but when we used a full A0 drawings the result was not always good.
- SDI convert, http://www.sdicgm.com/sdiweb/sdi_convert.html. Like Normica, the results were good.
- ViewCompanion, http://www.softwarecompanions.com/viewpremium.html. Of this software we had the standard version and used it for the WMF and PDF output. We now tried the new Premium version and tried it with the EMF output. The results were very good.
So the finaly sollution for us is:
+ Making HPGL/2 plot files in AutoCAD and/or BricsCAD (this is done with the printerdriver).
+ Place the files in a certain folder on the network.
+ Start an remote desktop session to a server that automatically run the conversion with ViewCompanion
+ The EMF files may be inserted into the Word document from a particular folder on the network.0 -
We have now the solution that fits best for us, thanks to all the reply's on the Bricsys forum and the Microsoft Anwsers forum.
First of all, an explanation off the different tools that are suggested on forums.
* Better WMF from http://www.furix.com/betterwmf, this is a tool that can be used within AutoCAD and BricsCAD. The result is a WMF file that can be used in Word.
* Use an EPS printer driver. There were a few suggestions, but none of them had a good result or you must install software that we do not want to have on the workstations.
* The software Snagit. Great tool, but the output is a pixel image and we defiantly want a vector image.
* WMFout command which are available within the software. Most software have that kind of options, but not all the software we use. The quality from the WMF output deferens, so for all situations we need different instructions how to use and when you got a new software version sometimes the command changes or the result of it.So the only thing we really can rely on is the HPGL/2 output, because of the fact that the end product of a CAD drawing is always a piece of paper. And that paper is produces with a plotter, and all plotters can handle HPGL or HPGL/2. So the only thing we have to do is find a good converter. The following converter are suggested:
- Normica, http://www.normica.com/en/hpgl2_emf. This product we have used in the past for viewing HPGL/2 files. It can handle WMF and EMF output. We tried the EMF and the result with small drawings was good, but when we used a full A0 drawings the result was not always good.
- SDI convert, http://www.sdicgm.com/sdiweb/sdi_convert.html. Like Normica, the results were good.
- ViewCompanion, http://www.softwarecompanions.com/viewpremium.html. Of this software we had the standard version and used it for the WMF and PDF output. We now tried the new Premium version and tried it with the EMF output. The results were very good.
So the finaly sollution for us is:
+ Making HPGL/2 plot files in AutoCAD and/or BricsCAD (this is done with the printerdriver).
+ Place the files in a certain folder on the network.
+ Start an remote desktop session to a server that automatically run the conversion with ViewCompanion
+ The EMF files may be inserted into the Word document from a particular folder on the network.0 -
Jan I'm glad you got this worked out but am curious of this comment from you 'pixel image and we defiantly want a vector image.'.
A vector image is an 'image' and I understood is still raster and not vector.
If your end result is only to print (inserted into Word doc) then wouldn't the output look same or very similar?
Richard0 -
In the picture you can see what the difference is between a vector and a pixel image.
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A brx-version of BetterWMF is available for download at http://www.furix.com/uploads/products/bwmf2007.brx
It work identical to the AutoCAD arx version so the documentation at http://www.furix.com/betterwmf-documentation/getting-started applies.0
