rasdgn

User’s Guide

RasterDgn™

Easily edit color, grayscale and monochrome rasterreference files without leaving MicroStation!

Version 8.5 for MicroStation V8.5, XM and V8i

Axiom1805 Drew StreetClearwater, Florida 33765727-442-7774 voice727-442-8344 [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

http://[email protected]/

RasterDgn

Copyright © 2008-2009 Axiom.All rights reserved.

This document was last modified on 11 August 2009 7:17 PM.

Limited Warranty — (Excerpted from the “Axiom End User Software LicenseAgreement”, see the full text of your “Axiom End User Software License Agreement” for

complete details.) LICENSEE is advised to test the SOFTWARE thoroughly beforerelying on it. The SOFTWARE is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind, either

expressed or implied, including, but not limited to the implied warranties ofmerchantability and fitness for a particular purpose and the entire risk as to the quality

and performance of the SOFTWARE is with LICENSEE.

Governing Law — This Agreement (“Axiom End User Software License Agreement”)shall be governed by the laws of the State of Florida, United States of America. Venuefor the resolution of any dispute arising out of this Agreement shall be Pinellas County,

Florida, USA or, if that is not possible, the nearest court of competent jurisdiction thereto.

MicroStation is a registered trademark of Bentley Systems, Incorporated.RasterDgn is a trademark of Axiom.

http://[email protected]/

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 — Introduction--------------------------------------------------------------------- 7Introducing RasterDgn ------------------------------------------------------------------------------7

Chapter 2 — Installation----------------------------------------------------------------------- 8Before You Install ---------------------------------------------- Error! Bookmark not defined.Typical Installation from CD --------------------------------- Error! Bookmark not defined.Congratulations------------------------------------------------- Error! Bookmark not defined.

Chapter 3 — Uninstalling --------------------------------------------------------------------15Uninstalling Axiom products --------------------------------- Error! Bookmark not defined.

Chapter 4 — Quick Start ---------------------------------------------------------------------16RasterDgn basics ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16Demonstration Versions --------------------------------------- Error! Bookmark not defined.Quick Start Instructions --------------------------------------- Error! Bookmark not defined.Introduction ----------------------------------------------------- Error! Bookmark not defined.Quick Start 1 — RasterDgn Deskew ------------------------ Error! Bookmark not defined.Quick Start 2 — RasterDgn Resize Canvas ---------------- Error! Bookmark not defined.Quick Start 3 — RasterDgn Copy --------------------------- Error! Bookmark not defined.

Chapter 5 — Using RasterDgn -------------------------------------------------------------21Loading RasterDgn -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 21

MicroStation Version Compatibility ------------------------------------------------------- 21The RasterDgn menu ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 21

Menu or Toolbar Are Optional ------------------------------------------------------------- 22Table of Features on Menu and Toolbar--------------------------------------------------- 22

Tool Settings ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23Mode (all tools)------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23Method (Delete tool)------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24Method (Crop tool)--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25Modify (Copy, Move, Delete tools)-------------------------------------------------------- 25Fence Mode (Copy, Move, Delete tools)-------------------------------------------------- 26Rotate (Copy, Move tools) ------------------------------------------------------------------ 26X Scale (Copy, Move tools) ---------------------------------------------------------------- 26Y Scale (Copy, Move tools)----------------------------------------------------------------- 26[] Merge source/destination pixels (Copy, Move tools) --------------------------------- 27[] Create new file (Copy, Move tools)----------------------------------------------------- 27

Copy ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28Color Depth Note----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28

Move ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 29Color Depth Note----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29

RasterDgn

Delete ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29

Crop -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30

Stamp ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 30[] Delete original elements ------------------------------------------------------------------ 31Technical Notes on Stamp------------------------------------------------------------------- 31Stamp Settings -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 31

Deskew ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32

Despeckle ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32

Resize Canvas -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 33

Raster Scratch Area -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 34How It Works --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 34

Change Settings… --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 34Help | Contents… ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 35Help | About…-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 35Exit --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 35

Support for MicroStation’s Undo <Ctrl-Z>----------------------------------------------------- 35

Chapter 6 — Supported Raster File Types ---------------------------------------------36Supported Raster File Types ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 36Unsupported Raster File Types------------------------------------------------------------------- 36What About Other Raster File Types?----------------------------------------------------------- 37

Adding Support For Other Raster File Types--------------------------------------------- 37MicroStation Version Support -------------------------------------------------------------------- 37

Chapter 7 — RasterDgn Settings ---------------------------------------------------------38The RasterDgn Settings box---------------------------------------------------------------------- 38Interface --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 38Backups---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 39File Names ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 40Stamp Line Styles ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 41

MicroStation Line Style to Pixel Style: How It Works---------------------------------- 41Stamp Line Weights-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 42

Chapter 8 — Troubleshooting--------------------------------------------------------------43Using PowerDraft?--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 44Using MicroStation/J? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 44Weird Copy/Move Results Due to Mismatched Raster Affinity and Rotation------------- 45Stamp and Resize take multiple undo operations to be completely undone. --------------- 45Raster data (pixels) inside the “holes” in filled fonts (like Arial) is deleted on Stamp if Fill viewattribute was turned on.---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 45XM-only: Text always displays as “filled” even if Fill view attribute is turned off. RasterDgnStamp, however, honors the Fill view attribute. ----------------------------------------------- 46

Table of Contents

XM-only: Stamp doesn’t work on a recently attached raster reference file attachment unless youwait a few seconds after attaching it. ------------------------------------------------------------ 46

Chapter 9 — We’ll Make (Almost) Any Enhancements You Want---------------47

Chapter 10 — New Features and Fixes--------------------------------------------------488.4a — 23 December 2008------------------------------------------------------------------------ 488.3b — 3 October 2008---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 498.3a — 19 August 2008 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 49

Chapter 1 — Introduction

Chapter 1 — Introduction

Introducing RasterDgnAxiom is proud to announce the release of RasterDgn — the easiest way to edit yourcolor and monochrome raster reference files. RasterDgn keeps MicroStation users incontrol of their raster reference files with little or no training.

RasterDgn’s features include:

• Copy/Move/Delete raster data by fence or user-defined area — Edit color andmonochrome raster reference files directly from within MicroStation!

• Stamp Vector — Rasterize vector data, writing it to a color or monochrome rasterreference file. Supports fence area, user-defined block and selection sets.

• Deskew — Easily and automatically rotate color and monochrome raster referencefiles to make them level.

• Despeckle — Instantly remove speckling from monochrome raster reference files.Works on entire raster file, fence or rectangular user-defined area.

• Resize Canvas — Easily add working area to your raster file. Changes raster file’sdimensions without scaling the image.

• Undo — Use MicroStation’s Undo (<Ctrl-Z>) to undo RasterDgn operations.

RasterDgn

Chapter 2 — Installation

Installation of RasterDgn is quick and easy. Just follow the instructions below for theoperating system on which RasterDgn is being installed.

Your computer must have MicroStation up and running. The plotting system should alsobe installed, configured and running.

Before You InstallThis chapter will walk you through a typical Axiom product installation. Theseinstructions apply to both MicroStation V7 and V8. V7 products are used in theexamples.

To install one or more Axiom products, you need:

• The latest Axiom product CD; and

• A license file on floppy disk for the product(s) you are about to install.

Please shut down all MicroStation sessions on your computer before continuing.

Typical Installation from CD1. Insert the Axiom product CD into your CD drive.

2. The dialog box below should come up automatically. This may take a few momentsdepending on computer and CD drive speed.

CONDITIONAL: In some cases Windows® is set to suppress auto-running executables.If the installation process does not begin automatically when you insert the CD, you willneed to start the process manually. From the Windows Start Menu, choose “Run…” andtype in the following:D:\Setup.exe

where “D” is your CD drive letter.


3. Click the <OK> button and the first installation dialog box (below) will appear.

4. Select MicroStation V7 or MicroStation V8 and click <Next>.

5. Choose which type of installation you want to perform. The “Typical” installation isbest for most situations and asks the user to make very few decisions.

RasterDgn

6. These instructions will describe only the “Typical” installation path. Choose“Typical” and click <Next>.

7. Choose the license file for this installation. Toggle on “I have a license filesomewhere else.” And press <Next>.

8. Browse to the “axiom.lic” file on the CD and click <Open>. The licenses in thespecified license file will display in the next dialog box. Press <Next>.

Although you have already selected the MicroStation family (V7 or V8) for whichyou want to install Axiom tools, it is common for one computer to have more thanone instance of MicroStation installed on it. For example, you might have twoversions of MicroStation/J installed (07.01.04.16 and 07.02.04.20). You must choosewhich of the two you want to associate your Axiom tools with.


9. Highlight the version of MicroStation you want to associate the Axiom tools with andclick <Next>.

Since this is a “Typical” installation, all programs for which an Axiom license wasfound will already be “checked-on” to be installed. Other items that are alsoautomatically “checked-on” for installation are the product User’s Guides, individualproduct sample files and Axiom’s MicroStation pull-down menu.

RasterDgn

10. To proceed with default selections click <Next>.

You’ve now completed the Pre-Setup.

11. Click <Next> to proceed with the installation.

12. The <Next>button is grayed-out unless you accept the agreement.

If you accept the license and click <Next>, the installation will begin. You can click


<Cancel> at any time to abort the installation.

13. This is the final dialog box. It shows that the installation is complete. By default the“View Readme.pdf” option is toggled on and will display the Readme.pdf documentwhen you click <Finish>.

RasterDgn

CongratulationsThat’s it! You have successfully completed the installation of your Axiom tools.

Chapter 3 — Uninstalling

Chapter 3 — Uninstalling

Uninstalling Axiom productsAxiom products can be uninstalled easily through the Windows® Start Menu.

1. Go to <Start>, “Programs | Axiom”.

2. Select “Uninstall V7 products” or “Uninstall V8 products” depending on the productsyou want to uninstall.

3. Choose “Select all.” or “Select components to uninstall.” If you choose “Selectcomponents to uninstall.” then each product in the list can be manually checked orunchecked. This allows for any combination of products to be uninstalled. Onlyinstalled products will be shown in the list.

Note: At the bottom of the list of products you also have the option to uninstall sampledesign files, user’s guides and even the Axiom pull-down menu.

4. Once you’ve made your selections, click the <Uninstall> button to complete theuninstall process.

RasterDgn

Chapter 4 — Quick Start

RasterDgn basicsOnce RasterDgn has been installed as described above, you can run it from your Axiommenu in MicroStation. When you do, you’ll see a RasterDgn menu and a toolbar. We’llbe using the three indicated tools:


Demonstration VersionsThe demonstration version of RasterDgn

• Expires after 30 days.

• Only runs for five minutes at a time.

• Displays an <OK> button that you must click after a delay. The delay gets longereach time you run RasterDgn.

• Only runs on design files that are 200KB or smaller.Needless to say, your permanent version of RasterDgn will not have these restrictions.

Quick Start InstructionsThese three quick starts are intended to be run together and in order.

IntroductionIf you can use one of RasterDgn’s features, you can use them all. It’s really quite simple.We’ll get you started learning RasterDgn by deskewing a 24-bit (16-million color) TIFFattached to a design file.

Quick Start 1 — RasterDgn DeskewRasterDgn Deskew easily and automatically deskews (rotates) a raster reference file tomake it level.

1. Open the design file “…\RasterDgn\sample\Axiom.dgn” file in MicroStation V8.5.This file is installed with RasterDgn. It is usually “c:\ProgramFiles\Axiom\V8\RasterDgn\sample\Axiom.dgn”.

2. Notice that the attached 16-million color raster reference file (“Axiom.tif”) is notlevel.

3. Load RasterDgn from your Axiom menu. RasterDgn’s menu and toolbar will appear.

4. From the RasterDgn menu, choose “Deskew”. This box will display:

RasterDgn

5. Push <Calculate>. RasterDgn will calculate the angle necessary to level the rasterfile.

6. Click <Apply> to accept the suggested rotation angle.

7. Notice that the raster file has now been deskewed!

Done! That’s all it takes to deskew a raster reference file with RasterDgn. The next stepis to trim the raster file with RasterDgn Resize Canvas.

Quick Start 2 — RasterDgn Resize CanvasRasterDgn Resize Canvas lets you interactively change the dimensions of a rasterreference file without scaling the image in that file. This means you can add emptyworking area to a raster reference file or crop it.

1. Choose “Resize Canvas” from your RasterDgn menu in MicroStation. The followingbox opens:

We’re going to resize the raster file interactively instead of entering pixel values in thatbox. Float your mouse over the raster reference file. It should look like this:


2. Notice those arrows. Click and drag on any of them to extend or reduce that rasterfile border. In this case, move the left and bottom arrows inward and upward until thepicture in your raster reference file is rectangular again.

3. Push <Apply> in the RasterDgn Resize Raster tool settings box. Your rasterreference file will then look like this:

RasterDgn

Your raster reference file has now been automatically deskewed and interactivelycropped with RasterDgn! Next we’ll copy some raster data from it to instantly create anew raster reference file.

Quick Start 3 — RasterDgn CopyRasterDgn Copy makes it easy to copy raster data (pixels from one part of a rasterreference file into another. It can even copy pixels between raster reference files just aseasily. Or you can create a brand new raster reference file from the copied pixels.

1. Choose “Copy” from your RasterDgn menu in MicroStation. The following boxopens:

2. Turn on “Create new file.”

3. Place two points in our raster reference file to define a block (rectangle) that you’dlike to copy.

4. Now place a point to copy from and then a point to copy to. Make sure your point tocopy to places your chosen pixels outside your raster reference file so your new rasterreference file isn’t overlapped by the old one.

A brand new raster reference file is created from the pixels you chose!

You’re done! That’s how easy it is to use RasterDgn. Please explore RasterDgn’s varioustools to see how it can help you.

The rest of RasterDgn is just as easy to use.

Enjoy!

Chapter 5 — Using RasterDgn


Loading RasterDgnLoad RasterDgn from the Axiom menu in your MicroStation menu bar.

MicroStation Version CompatibilityRasterDgn works with MicroStation V8.5 (2004 Edition), V8.9 (XM) and V8.11 (V8i).

The RasterDgn menuAs soon as RasterDgn is loaded, its menu appears on the MicroStation menu bar and itstoolbar loads.

RasterDgn

There are only two things you cannot do from the toolbar:

• Detach a RasterDgn temporary raster reference attachment (Raster Scratch AreaDetach). Such attachments detach automatically when you close their design filesso most users should never need this feature.

• Convert Read-only Attachments

Menu or Toolbar Are OptionalYou can control whether RasterDgn loads the menu, the toolbar or both on startup. Go toRasterDgn’s Settings box via the menu or the toolbar button to control this.

Table of Features on Menu and ToolbarThe following table shows what features are available on the RasterDgn menu and theRasterDgn toolbar, including their toolbar icons:

RasterDgn Feature Menu Toolbar Icon

Copy Yes Yes

Move Yes Yes

Delete Yes Yes

Crop Yes Yes

Stamp Yes Yes

Deskew Yes Yes

Despeckle Yes Yes

Resize Canvas Yes Yes

Raster Scratch Attach Yes Yes

Raster Scratch Detach Yes No N/AConvert Read-only Attachments Yes No N/AOpen RasterDgn Toolbar Yes N/A N/A

Change Settings… Yes Yes


Tool SettingsThe following tool settings are shared by RasterDgn tools. They’re documented hereonce for all the tools which use them.

Tool Setting Copy Move Delete Crop Stamp DespeckleMode Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes YesMethod N/A N/A Yes Yes N/A N/AModify Yes Yes Yes N/A N/A N/AFence Mode Yes Yes Yes N/A No N/ARotate Yes Yes N/A N/A N/A N/AX Scale Yes Yes N/A N/A N/A N/AY Scale Yes Yes N/A N/A N/A N/A[] Merge… Yes Yes N/A N/A N/A N/A[] Create new file Yes Yes N/A N/A N/A N/A

Mode (every tool that uses it)Mode defines how you select the raster (and sometimes vector) data you want to processwith RasterDgn. The choices for Mode are

• All: (Stamp only) Default setting. Your Stamp operation will apply to the entire areaof the raster reference file you choose, not to a user-defined block or fence orselected elements.

• Block: (Copy, Move, Delete only) Default setting. You will be prompted to enter twopoints on your raster reference file to define a block of raster data (pixels) to process.

After you use a tool in Block Mode, you will be prompted to use the tool again andagain. Block is simple and easy to use. Block operations work only on raster data(pixels) and ignore vector elements. The only tool that doesn’t allow you to reuse aBlock is Despeckle.

• Fence: More advanced than Block. Usually used with an already-placed fence. If nofence already exists, RasterDgn will prompt you to place a rectangular (“block”)fence of type “inside.” To choose other fence types, place your fence before choosinga RasterDgn tool.

One benefit of Fence over Block is that you can predefine a complicated fence of anytype (Block, Shape, Circle or Element) and use that with RasterDgn. The otherbenefit of Fence over Block is that Fence allows you to include raster data (elements)in your RasterDgn Copy/Move/Delete operations.

RasterDgn

Fence Tip: If you don’t create your fence before choosing a RasterDgn tool(Copy/Move/Delete/Stamp and Mode = Fence) that tool will only run one time so that itleaves your fence intact, in case you still need it. You can still reuse the tool with Mode =Block or re-run the tool to, say, run it again with the same fence but a different FenceMode setting.

If you don’t place a fence before choosing a RasterDgn tool, you can run that toolrepeatedly, placing a new rectangular (inside only) fence each time. Just like Mode =Block but with vector data (elements) included.

• Selection: (Stamp only) Select the elements you want to stamp into your rasterreference file before you choose the Stamp tool. You will not be prompted to selectelements after choosing Stamp because MicroStation’s element section tool wouldthen close the RasterDgn Stamp tool.

Table of Mode ChoicesThis table lists the RasterDgn tools that share the Mode option button. Bold items are thedefault choice for that tool.

Modes Copy Move Delete Crop Stamp DespeckleAll N/A N/A N/A N/A Yes YesBlock Yes Yes Yes Yes N/A YesFence Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes YesSelection N/A N/A N/A N/A Yes N/A

Method (Delete tool)Method defines whether the actual raster file will be modified or whether it will onlyappear to be modified by modifying the raster reference file attachment information inyour design file. The choices for Method are

• Delete: The default. Pixels inside the area defined by the Mode tool setting will bedeleted from the raster reference file. If Modify = Raster and Vector then raster dataincluded in the fence (take careful note of the Fence Mode you use) will also bedeleted. Fence Mode has no effect on which pixels will be deleted.

• Clip Mask: The area defined by the Model tool setting will be masked in the rasterreference file attachment in your design file. The actual raster file will no bemodified.


Method (Crop tool)Method defines whether the actual raster file will be modified or whether it will onlyappear to be modified by modifying the raster reference file attachment information inyour design file. The choices for Method are

• Crop File: The default. The raster reference file’s border will be cropped(deleted) along the rectangular area defined by the Mode tool setting. Raster filedimensions will change.

• Clip Boundary: The rectangular area defined by the Mode tool setting will have aclipping boundary applied to it. Its dimensions will appear to change in your designfile but the raster reference file will not actually change.

Table of Method ChoicesThis table lists the RasterDgn tools that share the Method option button. Bold items arethe default choice for that tool.

Methods Delete CropDelete Yes N/AClip Mask Yes N/ACrop File N/A YesClip Boundary N/A Yes

Modify (Copy, Move, Delete tools)Requires: Mode = Fence

RasterDgn’s Copy, Move and Delete tools always apply to raster data (pixels.) Modifycontrols whether those tools also process (copy, move or delete) the parts of vectorelements that exist inside the area being processed. The choices for Modify are

• Raster Only: The default. Only raster data (pixels) will be affected. Vector elementswill be ignored.

• Raster and Vector: Raster data (pixels) and vector elements (or portions of them)will be affected.

Technical Note: Modify doesn’t apply to Stamp because Stamp’s input is only vectordata (elements), never raster data (pixels).

Table of Modify ChoicesThis table lists the RasterDgn tools that share the Modify option button. Bold items arethe default choice for that tool.

Modify Choices Copy Move Delete CropRaster Only Yes Yes Yes Yes

RasterDgn

Modify Choices Copy Move Delete CropRaster and Vector Yes Yes Yes Yes

Fence Mode (Copy, Move, Delete tools)Requires: Modify = Raster and Vector

RasterDgn’s Copy, Move and Delete tools always process the raster data (pixels) insidethe user-defined area being processed. When you want RasterDgn to copy, move ordelete raster and vector data (elements) — by setting Modify = “Raster and Vector” —Fence Mode lets you control which vector data (elements) to include in your fence andhow much of each element to process in the case of elements overlapping your fence.

For more on Fence Modes, see MicroStation’s help.

Use Fence Mode when you want to copy, move or delete vector data along with yourraster data and the vector data is partially or totally outside the fence.

Fence Mode only applies to vector data (not raster) and fence operations. To enableFence Mode, set Mode to Fence and Modify to “Raster and Vector”.

Table of Fence Mode ChoicesThis table lists the RasterDgn tools that share the Fence Mode option button. Bold itemsare the default choice for that tool.

Fence Modes Copy Move DeleteInside Yes Yes YesAll other standardMicroStation FenceModes

Yes Yes Yes

Rotate (Copy, Move tools)Use this to rotate the raster or vector data in your RasterDgn Copy or Move operation bymultiples of 90 degrees.

X Scale (Copy, Move tools)Use this to scale (resize) the raster or vector data in your RasterDgn Copy or Moveoperation.

Y Scale (Copy, Move tools)Use this to scale (resize) the raster or vector data in your RasterDgn Copy or Moveoperation.


[] Merge source/destination pixels (Copy, Move tools)This is a checkbox. The choices are

• Off: The default. All existing pixels in the destination area will be erased by theRasterDgn Copy or Move operation, being totally replaced with the raster data(pixels and blank space) from the source area.

• On: All existing pixels in the destination area will be commingled with the pixelsfrom the source area. Mostly for use with binary raster reference files.

[] Create new file (Copy, Move tools)This is a checkbox. The choices are

• Off: The default. Copied or moved raster and vector data can only be placed in anexisting raster reference file. Your fence or block must fall completely within oneraster reference file.

• On: Copied or moved raster and vector data will be placed in a brand new rasterreference file and instantly attached to your DGN file. The new raster file will benamed after your original raster reference file but with a filename suffix of“-copiedN” added. Where “N” is a unique number starting at 1 and incrementing intoinfinity.

Technical Note: If you create a new raster reference file with RasterDgn’s Movetool (not Copy) why doesn’t it get named “-movedN” instead of “-copiedN”?Because we believe that would give the casual observer of the containing folder theincorrect impression that that file had been moved from some other folder. A smallpoint, we agree. We’ll likely add a feature to let the user control these suffixes in thefuture, depending on customer interest. If you’d like such a feature, please [email protected].


RasterDgn

Copy

Use RasterDgn Copy to copy raster data (pixels) from one part of your raster referencefile to

• Another part of that file or

• Another raster reference file entirely or

• A brand new raster reference file, created automatically by RasterDgn.Copy also supports copying vector data with your raster data.

Color Depth NoteWhen copying data between raster reference files, both files have to have the same colordepth.


Move

Use RasterDgn Move to move raster data (pixels) from one part of your raster referencefile to

• Another part of that file or

• Another raster reference file entirely or

• A brand new raster reference file, created automatically by RasterDgn.Move also supports moving vector data with your raster data.

Undo Tip: Use Undo twice to undo a Move operation. (Because a Move is really a Copyfollowed by a Delete of the old data.)

Color Depth NoteWhen moving data between raster reference files, both files have to have the same colordepth.

Delete

RasterDgn

Use RasterDgn Delete to do the following in a raster reference file:

• Delete raster data (pixels) in a user-defined area.

• Delete raster data (pixels) and vector data (elements) in a user-defined area.

• Add a clipping mask (hiding pixels) in a user-defined area.

Crop

Use Crop to crop your raster reference file or mask the reference file attachment, whichwon’t change the actual raster reference file.

Crop has no effect on vector elements. This is a subtle way in which it differs fromDelete (besides the obvious fact that they’re opposites.)

Crop is a very easy way to trim the outside boundary of a raster reference file. CropRaster does exactly what it sounds like: It crops your raster file. The raster file is resizedalong the fence boundary and reattached as a new raster reference file.

Technical Note: RasterDgn will automatically turn on the “Clipping” property in theraster reference file attachment (a setting you can also change in MicroStation’s RasterManager) if you perform a RasterDgn Clip on the attachment. If RasterDgn didn’t dothis, it would incorrectly appear that the clipping operation was unsuccessful.

Stamp

RasterDgn Stamp may seem simple but it’s actually quite powerful and intelligent.Stamping is the process of turning vector elements drawn with MicroStation into rasterpixels in a raster reference file. RasterDgn Stamp can significantly extend the life of yourraster files.

Stamp works on a fence, block, selection set or all vector elements overlapping the rasterreference file.


[] Delete original elementsTurn this checkbox on to have Stamp delete the stamped vector data (elements) when it isdone stamping them into the raster reference file.

Undo Note: If you turn on “Delete original elements”, it will take two Undos (<Ctrl-Z>two times) to undo the Stamp operation completely: One for the delete, one for the Stampitself.

Technical Notes on StampHere are a few important things that are special about how Stamp operates:

• When Mode = All, Block or Fence, Stamp only works on elements displayed in theview in which you selected the raster file to process. If you cannot see it, it won’t bestamped. So, for example, if you have a level turned off, those elements won’t bestamped. View area is not important but things like displayed levels in that view areimportant.

• When Mode = All or Selection and user elects to “Delete original elements”,RasterDgn deletes displayed elements overlapping the raster area, truncating them atthe raster boundary.

• When Mode = Block or Fence and user elects to “Delete original elements”,RasterDgn deletes displayed elements overlapping the fence/block by truncatingthem at the boundary of the fence/block, not at the raster boundary.

• When Mode = All or Selection, Stamp prompts you to select the raster reference file,even if you only have one raster file attached. This prevents premature stamping andan inability to change Mode from Selection or All to anything else.

• Be aware of the state of the MicroStation preference “Workspace | Preferences |Operation | Optimized Fence Clipping” when using RasterDgn Stamp. If thatpreference is checked on, MicroStation will convert elements clipped by RasterDgnStamp into closed elements when possible. When turned off, MicroStation will nottry to convert those clipped elements into closed elements. If the elements beingclipped are filled, it’s probably a good idea to turn this MicroStation preference on.

Stamp SettingsYou can control the pixel weights and the look of raster line “styles” in the RasterDgnSettings box, documented later in this guide.

RasterDgn

Deskew

If your raster reference file is not level, use RasterDgn Deskew to fix it.

You will be asked to select the raster reference file with a data point if you have morethan one raster reference file attached.

Press <Calculate> to have RasterDgn automatically recommend a rotation angle for you.You can either use RasterDgn’s suggestion or enter your own rotation angle.

RasterDgn analyzed the raster reference file and suggested the above angle.

Despeckle

Use RasterDgn Despeckle to remove unwanted speckling from your monochrome rasterreference files. Speckles are stray pixels or “noise” in a raster file. You can define aspeckle as up to 10x10 pixels. Despeckle works on the entire raster file, a fenced area oran area defined by a user-defined block.

Before the raster reference file is actually changed, RasterDgn will tell you how manypixels will be removed and prompt you to continue.


Resize Canvas

RasterDgn Resize Canvas is remarkable! It lets you add blank working area to your rasterreference files by changing their dimensions without scaling them. This makes yourworking “canvas” bigger. Or, if you wish, you can make it smaller.

You can enter the pixels by which to increase or decrease your raster reference file or youcan use the following arrows to do this interactively. Just press <Apply> when you’redone with either method.

Technical Note: Resize Canvas does partially overlap RasterDgn Crop functionality-wise. They can both decrease the dimensions of a raster reference file without scaling itdown, which is the definition of cropping. But their purposes are really quite different:Resize Canvas is really for making your raster file bigger without scaling it up. And Crop

RasterDgn

can also optionally just clip your raster reference file instead of cropping it, leaving theactual raster file unchanged.

Tip: If you want to crop your raster file by a certain number of pixels, use Resize Canvasand type in your negative pixel values.

Raster Scratch Area

RasterDgn’s Raster Scratch Area tool will create a temporary raster reference fileattachment. It will be detached automatically when you close your design file (or you candetach it yourself from the RasterDgn menu or Raster Manager or by placing anothertemporary attachment with RasterDgn’s Attach Scratch Area tool.)

How It WorksThis temporary raster reference file will use an existing raster reference file as atemplate/seed for color depth, type, compression, display settings and more. And youenter your desired dimensions and placement corners. Unless you choose otherdimensions, the temporary raster reference file’s dimensions will match your templateraster reference file.

You can Copy and Move raster data freely between the raster scratch area and otherraster reference files with RasterDgn. Just be sure the two raster reference files have thesame color depth and that those raster files are attached with the same affinity androtation.

Use Raster Scratch Area when you need a temporary working area for your raster datajuggling but don’t want to or cannot use your production raster reference attachments.

Warning: Be sure not to leave your only copy of raster data in one of these temporaryraster reference files when you close your design file as you’ll lose that data.

Convert Read-only AttachmentsThis command does two things:

• It converts all attached “Intergraph TIFF” format raster reference files (used byI/RAS B) into non-proprietary TIFF files that software other than I/RAS B (suchas RasterDgn) can edit.


• It turns the Read-only flag off in MicroStation’s Raster Manager box (File |Raster Manager) for all possible raster reference attachments.

Change Settings… This opens the RasterDgn Settings box, which is documented elsewhere in this guide.

Help | Contents…This opens RasterDgn’s online help file, which contains the full product documentationin Window’s help file format.

Help | About…This opens your default web browser and displays an HTML page with information aboutyour current RasterDgn version.

ExitThis unloads RasterDgn.

Support for MicroStation’s Undo <Ctrl-Z>All of RasterDgn’s features except Crop support MicroStation’s Undo. To getapproximately the same result as Crop without giving up Undo, you can use Clip instead.

RasterDgn

Chapter 6 — Supported Raster File Types

Supported Raster File TypesThe following types of raster reference files are known to work well with RasterDgn.

Type Compression Color StatusTIFF None, LZW, PackBits 1-bit (binary), 24-

bit (16M color)Supported

CIT CCITT FAX4 1-bit (binary) SupportedJPG JPEG 24-bit (16M color) SupportedCALS CCITT FAX4 1-bit (binary) SupportedAny Any 4-bit (16 color) UnsupportedRLE RLE1 1-bit (binary) Unsupported

On Combinations: All listed file types have been tested with all listed compressiontypes and all listed color depths but not necessarily every combination of thosecompression types and color depths.

Despeckle Note: You can only Despeckle 1-bit (binary/monochrome) raster files.

Unsupported Raster File TypesThe following raster reference file combinations are known to be unsupported byRasterDgn. In most cases, this is due to MicroStation’s lack of internal support forwriting to those types of raster files.

Type Compression Color Status Why Not?Any Any 4-bit (16 color) Unsupported Read-only to

MicroStationJP2 None 24-bit (16M) Unsupported Read-only to

MicroStationSID None 24-bit (16M) Unsupported Read-only to

MicroStationRLE Any, RLE1 1-bit (binary) Unsupported Pending demand

Although this table lists tested compression types, it is likely that the specificallymentioned file types are unsupported regardless of compression type.

Chapter 6 — Supported Raster File Types

What About Other Raster File Types?RasterDgn may work well with file types, compression types or color depths not listed inthis guide. As we certify support for other file types, we will update this guide.

Adding Support For Other Raster File TypesIf you need support for some combination not listed here, please email your request [email protected] along with sample files.

MicroStation Version SupportRasterDgn supports raster reference files attached to the following file types in the notedMicroStation versions.

MicroStation V8 DGN V7 DGN DWGV8.5 Supported Untested SupportedXM (V8.9) Supported Untested UntestedV8i (V8.11) Supported Untested Untested


RasterDgn

Chapter 7 — RasterDgn Settings

The RasterDgn Settings boxYou can open the RasterDgn Settings box

• With “Change Settings…” on the RasterDgn menu in MicroStation or

• From the “Change settings” button on the RasterDgn toolbar.

Interface

These settings are pretty self-explanatory. You can control whether to open theRasterDgn toolbar or menu or both when RasterDgn starts.


Backups

When creating a backup file, RasterDgn uses the raster file’s original name and adds thesuffix “-backupN”. Where ‘N’ is a number starting at 1 and going into infinity. Rasterreference files are backed up only the first time RasterDgn modifies them in a session.The session ends when RasterDgn is unloaded (exited) not when another design file isopened.

RasterDgn never overwrites an existing backup file. When a backup of some raster filealready exists, RasterDgn creates a new backup file and increments the backup numbersuffix in its filename.

If RasterDgn is set to work on a copy of the file rather than the original, there is no needto backup the original file. This applies only to Resize and Crop tools. See “File Names”settings category for more.

Large Files Note: Backing up a very large raster reference file can delay filemodification for some seconds. But it doesn't affect subsequent operations once thebackup is made.

RasterDgn

File Names

Crop and Resize Canvas are special features. Due to MicroStation’s design, cropped orresized raster reference files must be renamed in order to make them Undoable.

When you choose “Create a copy of original raster file. (Supports Undo.)” then rasterreference files modified by that command (Crop or Canvas) do not need to be backed up.The copies of your raster reference files will have a suffix of “-resizedN” or “-cropped1”added to their file names.

If you choose “Modify original raster file. (Makes Undo impossible.)” then those rasterreference files will be backed up as the original files will be getting modified.

If you don’t the names of your attached raster reference files to change (suffixes like “-cropped1” or “-resized1” added to copies of them and the original files left unchanged),choose “Modify original raster file. (Makes Undo impossible.)” Just make sure you leavethe “Backup original files before modifying.” turned on in the Backups settings category.


Stamp Line Styles

Here you control how RasterDgn Stamp simulates MicroStation line styles using pixelsin the raster reference file.

MicroStation Line Style to Pixel Style: How It Works

You can define a different pixel pattern for each of MicroStation’s eight basiclinestyles. The value before the first comma specifies the length of the first dash inthe raster file. The second value specifies the length of the first space and so on.

For custom styles, Stamp doesn't use this style table. Instead, Stamp converts customstyle elements to vector primitives (in memory only) and stamps those primitives.

RasterDgn

Stamp Line Weights

Here you control how RasterDgn Stamp simulates MicroStation line weights in the rasterfile. Each Line Weight in MicroStation (0 to 31) will be drawn in the raster reference fileusing the pixel width (number of pixels) shown in the Pixel Width column.

For example, by default a weight 0 element will be drawn 1 pixel wide in the rasterreference file and a weight 9 element will be drawn 10 pixels wide. Change the PixelWidth values to get the pixels widths you need in your raster reference files.

Chapter 8 — Tips

Chapter 8 — Tips

RASDGN_DISABLERasterDgn 8.5a introduced the ability to disable items on its menu and toolbar. Items willbe disabled, not hidden.

To use this, create a MicroStation configuration variable (Workspace | Configuration…in MicroStation) named “RASDGN_DISABLE” and give it a value that is a comma-separated list of the names of the RasterDgn commands you want to disable. Thecommand names of the commands to use with this configuration variable are:

Copy, Move, Delete, Crop, Stamp, Deskew, Despeckle,Resize, Scratch, Convert

Command names must be spelled exactly as above, not abbreviated. They are caseinsensitive. Quotes are not supported.

RasterDgn

Chapter 9 — Troubleshooting

We want this Troubleshooting section to be comprehensive. As a result, we’ve evenlisted things that no customers have ever reported, just in case you encounter them andturn to this guide for help. So just because a problem is listed here does not mean it isserious or that many people will ever encounter it.

V8i-only: Hangups using RasterDgn in MicroStation V8i?If MicroStation hangs up while you are using RasterDgn in MicroStation V8i, please turnoff the MicroStation preference “Workspace > Preferences > Raster Manager > DisplayRaster Using an Independent Process".

Which V8i versions have this issue?This has been observed in MicroStation V8i 08.11.05.17. A future release ofMicroStation may fix this problem.

Technical Note: This preference only exists in MicroStation V8i (not V8.5 and notXM) and causes the MicroStation function mdlRaster_bitmapSet() to misbehave. Here isa link to a discussion group in which Bentley recommends turning this same preferenceoff to handle a raster display problem:http://communities.bentley.com/forums/thread/59290.aspx

Using PowerDraft?If you need RasterDgn for MicroStation PowerDraft V8, please let us know [email protected]. If there is sufficient interest, we may add PowerDraft supportin a future version.

Using MicroStation/J?RasterDgn is V8-only. If you need a raster reference file editor for MicroStation V7 (J orSE), please check out Axiom’s RasEdit, a powerful, easy to use monochrome-only rasterreference file editor for MicroStation SE, J and V8. RasterDgn supports bothmonochrome and color raster reference files but is available only for MicroStation V8,not V7.

http://communities.bentley.com/forums/thread/59290.aspx


Chapter 9 — Troubleshooting

Weird Copy/Move Results Due to Mismatched Raster Affinityand Rotation

When copying or moving data between two raster reference files, be sure they haveidentical Rotation and Affinity settings or you will likely get strange looking results. Tocheck this, go to “File | Raster Manager” in MicroStation. From there, double click on theattachment and choose the Location tab. Then note the Rotation and Affinity values.Here’s an example:

The values are not important. What’s important is that both raster reference fileattachments have identical Rotation values to one another and identical Affinity values toone another.

Resize takes multiple undo operations to be completelyundone.

Currently, this is necessary in order to make to make Resize undoable at all. Multipleoperations are performed behind the scenes by Resize that must each be undone. It maybe possible to reduce this to one undo operation in a future version of RasterDgn. This isAxiom case 7366.

Raster data (pixels) inside the “holes” in filled fonts (likeArial) is deleted on Stamp if Fill view attribute was turned on.

For example, the hole in the letter ‘a’ or ‘A’ has all its pixels erased when stamped in thiscase. To avoid this, you can use fonts that are not “filled.” For example, you could usethe MicroStation font ENGINEERING instead of the filled TrueType font Arial to avoidthis. Or you could turn off the Fill view attribute when using RasterDgn Stamp, but thiswould result in the text being stamped as unfilled inner and outer lines rather than as athick, filled font.

This is a design tradeoff which allows Stamp to support many other combinations ofelement characteristics than would otherwise be possible. We believe it’s a good trade butwe’d prefer it to be perfect in every way so we hope to improve this in the future. This isAxiom case 7101. If you need this changed/improved/fixed, please let us know [email protected].


RasterDgn

XM-only: Text always displays as “filled” even if Fill viewattribute is turned off. RasterDgn Stamp, however, honors theFill view attribute.

This means that, due to this MicroStation XM idiosyncracy, Stamp may produce adifferent result (fonts not being filled in the raster file) than what you see on the screenbefore the Stamp (fonts filled). To get around this, turn on the Fill view attribute beforerunning Stamp. This is Axiom case 7386. It remains to be seen whether this is aMicroStation XM bug or feature so we’re interested in your input. Just [email protected] to weigh in. Depending on user feedback, future versions ofRasterDgn may be changed to behave like MicroStation XM in this regard.

XM-only: Stamp doesn’t work on a recently attached rasterreference file attachment unless you wait a few seconds afterattaching it.

It takes a little while for MicroStation XM or V8i to fully register the existence of a newraster reference file attachment and to make it editable by RasterDgn. The currentsolution is to wait a few seconds after unchecking “Read-only” on a recently attachedraster reference file attachment in MicroStation’s Raster Manager. You’ll usually noticethe raster reference file blink, after which you can Stamp away with impunity. Thisproblem also doesn’t occur if you reopen the design file after attaching it before runningRasterDgn Stamp on it. This is logged as Axiom case 7373. MicroStation V8.5 does nothave this problem. We hope to find a way to work around this MicroStation XM/V8iproblem eventually but we’d like to hear from you if you’re running into it. Just [email protected].



Chapter 10 — We’ll Make (Almost) Any Enhancements You Want

Chapter 10 — We’ ll Make (Almost) AnyEnhancements You Want

RasterDgn is a very powerful program. Nonetheless, we realize that you, a skilled andcreative MicroStation user, will think of ways in which it can be improved. We invite youto tell us your ideas.

For ten years we’ve listened to you, the skilled MicroStation professional, and haveimplemented the features you’ve requested. Every widely acclaimed product we’ve everdeveloped, including FileFixer, evolved in this manner.

We’d like to make RasterDgn perform every function you could ever imagine such aproduct being able to do. We intend to make you such a satisfied RasterDgn customerthat you can’t wait for the next user group meeting so you can tell your friends andassociates how much you like RasterDgn and how strongly you recommend it.

Your suggestions on how to improve RasterDgn are most welcome. You may email yoursuggestions to [email protected], or call us.


RasterDgn

Chapter 11 — New Features and Fixes

8.5a — 13 August 2009New: Added menu item “Convert Read-only Attachments” that converts I/RAS B’s“Intergraph TIFF” files to non-proprietary TIFF files and turns off MicroStation RasterManager’s Read-only flag for all possible references.

New: Added Block and Fence Modes to Despeckle. Previously, Despeckle only workedon the entire raster file.

New: Added ability to disable commands on RasterDgn’s menu and toolbar. Requiresuse of a new configuration variable named “RASDGN_DISABLE”.

Fixed: Fixed polarity handling in various situations. Fixed all known problem cases.

Fixed: Stamp and Despeckle now create only one undo event each instead of multipleundo events.

Fixed: Fixed an abort on loading RasterDgn when MicroStation’s Workspace |Preferences | Look and Feel | Tool Size:” was set to “Large”.

Fixed: Delete Block would sometimes leave a colored border around deleted areas inMicroStation XM.

Fixed: Using Delete with a rotated view could result in the wrong pixels being modified.

Fixed: Using Stamp with a warped raster reference file could result in the wrong rasterarea being stamped to.

Changed: The temporary raster reference file created by RasterDgn Scratch Attach isnow created in a Windows temporary folder. Previously, it was created in the same folderas the design file it was attached to.

8.4a — 23 December 2008New: RasterDgn is now certified for use with MicroStation V8i (V8.11.)

Fixed: It is now possible to run RasterDgn via MS_DGNAPPS so it starts automaticallywith MicroStation.

Improved: RasterDgn now displays a better warning when the active model is read-only.

Improved: Changed default Pixel Style setting value for Line Style 0 from blank to 1.The effect is the same but 1 is clearer than blank.

Chapter 11 — New Features and Fixes

8.3b — 3 October 2008New: RasterDgn is now certified for use with MicroStation XM (V8.9.)

Improved: RasterDgn Stamp now presents a confirmation box. This box includes thenumber of elements that will be stamped.

Improved: Improved the message displayed when there are zero points to despeckle.

Improved documentation: Added a table under each option button section showingwhich tool includes each option button choice.

Fixed: User can no longer enter a Pixel Weight value of ‘0’ for Line Weight = 0 in theStamp Line Weight settings category.

Fixed: Fixed some hotkeys in the settings box.

8.3a — 19 August 2008Initial RasterDgn release.

RasterDgn 8.3a is certified for use with MicroStation V8.5. MicroStation XM support isplanned for a release in the very near future.

RasterDgn is the successor to RasEdit. It is designed to be able to do the same thingsRasEdit can do, only better. Plus things RasEdit cannot do, like editing color rasterreference files.

Like RasEdit, RasterDgn supports binary (monochrome/1-bit-per-pixel) raster referencefiles. Only RasterDgn supports more than just CIT and TIFF files. For example, CALSfiles are supported. Another example: RasterDgn supports LZW compression, whichRasEdit did not support.

RasterDgn supports many types of color, grayscale and monochrome raster referencefiles. This guide contains details about the exact raster file types it has been tested with.This guide will be updated as we confirm support for even more types.

It will be easier to add new features to RasterDgn than to RasEdit.

RasterDgn automatically determines raster reference polarity. RasEdit had a checkboxfor polarity, requiring the user to guess at the correct setting.

rasdgn

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