Tip 1012: Learn the options for raster image frames

If the world could remain within a frame like a painting on the wall, I think we’d see the beauty then and stand staring in awe.
— Conor Oberst

Raster images such as JPEGs and TIFFs can be imported into AutoCAD easily using the Attach tool in the Insert tab/ Reference panel.  You can also import PDFs, but they slow down your system almost to a halt.  I recommend that you convert any PDF to a JPEG or a PNG file before importing it into a drawing.  See an upcoming post to learn how.

When you import an image file, it has a frame around it.  The frame is useful, because clicking on the frame is the easiest way to select the image for editing.

The frame can be turned on (visible) or off (hidden) using the TFRAMES command.  TFRAMES is a toggle command–type it once and all of the frames in the drawing are turned off, type it again and they are back on.  TFRAMES is a finicky command, in that sometimes it just refuses to work for no discernible reason, and when that happens, just close and re-open AutoCAD and it will most likely work.  By the way, TFRAMES does not appear in the AutoCAD Help menu, so it may be on the way to being phased out.

Another way to turn image frames on and off, which is in the Help menu, is the IMAGEFRAME command.  This command affects all images in the drawing.  When you type it, AutoCAD prompts you to enter a new value.  There are three options:

• 0:  Image frames are not visible and do not print
• 1:  Image frames are visible and print
• 2:  Image frames are visible but do not print

Hope this helps.

Post your comments and responses–I enjoy hearing from you!

Keep on CADDing!  🙂

Mark