Exporting an image file
Command |
Path |
Export Image File |
File > Export |
The Export Image File command exports a rendered drawing to a variety of file formats, including GIF, JPG, TIF, BMP, WMPhoto, and others. Different portions of the image can be selected for export.
The list of image formats is populated depending upon the operating system and installed drivers.
The following table lists the standard image export formats that are supported.
Export formats |
Mac |
Windows |
BMP |
X |
X |
Portable Bitmap (PBM) |
X |
|
GIF |
X |
X |
JPEG |
X |
X |
JPEG2000 |
X |
|
PNG |
X |
X |
Photoshop (.psd) |
X |
|
TGA |
X |
|
TIFF |
X |
X |
OpenEXR |
X |
|
WMPhoto |
|
X |
DDS |
|
X |
HEIF |
X |
X |
ASTC textures |
X |
|
KTX textures |
X |
|
PVRTC textures |
X |
|
To export an image file:
Select the command.
The Export Image File dialog box opens.
Select the export options, and then click Render or Wireframe to display the exported image preview.
Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.
Parameter |
Description |
Export Area |
|
All Visible Objects |
Exports an image that includes all visible objects (objects do not have to be currently on screen to be considered visible) |
Current View |
Exports an image that is exactly as it displays on the current screen |
All Pages as Single Image |
Saves all pages in the print area as one image. By default, the image dimensions are set to match the print area specifications in the Page Setup dialog box. The image dimensions can be changed, but must remain proportional to the print area aspect ratio. |
Each Page as Separate Image |
Saves each page in the print area as separate images. By default, the image dimensions are set to match the page size specifications in the Page Setup dialog box. The image dimensions can be changed, but must remain proportional to the page size aspect ratio. |
Marquee |
Exports an image within a user-created marquee. Select this option and then click Draw Marquee to temporarily close the dialog box. Click and drag to specify the area for export; the marquee dimensions are displayed on the Data bar. Click to set the export area and return to the Export Image File dialog box. The Pixel Dimensions of the image are automatically set to the marquee dimensions. |
Dimensions |
|
Lock Aspect Ratio |
Maintains the image aspect ratio when specifying dimensions |
Resolution |
Specifies the printed image resolution in pixels over inches |
Pixel Dimensions |
|
Width/Height |
Specifies the exported image dimensions; if Lock Aspect Ratio is selected, changes to one dimension will update the other to maintain the aspect ratio |
Print Size |
|
Width/Height |
Specifies the printed image dimensions in the selected Unit; if Lock Aspect Ratio is selected, changes to one dimension will update the other to maintain the aspect ratio |
Units |
Select a unit to apply to the Print Size parameters |
Preview |
Displays a rendered or wireframe preview according to the current settings |
Render |
Updates the preview with a rendered view using the currently set rendering option |
Wireframe |
Updates the preview with a wireframe view |
Memory Required/Estimated File Size |
Estimates the amount of memory required for the export and the approximate file size of the exported file, based on the current settings |
Update |
Updates the estimated memory and file size requirements |
Format |
|
File Type |
Select the file format for the exported image |
Color |
Specify whether to export the image in Full color, Grayscale, or Black and white |
Save Alpha Channel |
For file types that allow transparency and when full color is specified, select this option to export the image with a transparent background. Preview the result by clicking the Render or Wireframe button; the opaque white background is replaced with the checkerboard pattern that indicates transparency. |
Quality |
For file formats that observe a quality setting, drag the Opacity slider to the left to decrease the image quality or to the right to increase quality |
Update visible out of date viewports prior to exporting |
Automatically updates any visible, out-of-date viewports before exporting |
Reset all plug-in objects that require a reset prior to exporting |
Automatically resets plug-in objects that require an update (such as title block borders) before exporting |
Export Georeferencing File (Design Suite product required) |
Available only if the current design layer is georeferenced. Along with the image file, exports a worldfile that describes the exported image’s location, scale, and rotation in the geographic coordinate system. If multiple georeferenced layers are visible, the worldfile will be based on the active layer. See GIS and georeferencing for more information. |
Click Save.
In the dialog box that opens, provide a name for the file; the program adds the file extension according to the file format selected. If the Each Page as a Separate Image is selected for export, the program automatically appends an incremental number to each file name.
Click Save.
A new file is created without changing the original drawing file. This new file can then be opened in other applications or imported into another software program.