How to Select Raster Image in AutoCAD?

Selecting Raster Images in AutoCAD: A Step-by-Step Guide

When working in AutoCAD, being able to effectively select raster images is essential for efficient design processes. Follow this detailed guide to master the selection of images within your projects.

Enabling Image Selection Mode

First, ensure that your AutoCAD setup is ready for image selection:

1. Open AutoCAD 2025 and navigate to the General tab.
2. Find the setting for image selection and confirm that Shift + Left Click Image Select is enabled. This feature allows precise selection of raster images among other drawing elements.

How to Select a Raster Image

Once the settings are configured, follow these steps to select a raster image:

1. Locate the Image: Move your cursor over the raster image you want to select within your drawing.
2. Engage the Selection: Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and then press the Left Mouse Button. This combination allows you to select the image precisely, without inadvertently selecting other objects nearby.

Viewing Attached Raster Images

To verify that your raster images are correctly loaded and displayed, do the following:

1. Open the External References palette. If it’s not visible, access it from the View tab by clicking the corresponding icon.
2. Click on Attach Image. Navigate through your files to locate the image you wish to attach.
3. Once found, select it and press Open to include it in your current AutoCAD project.

Editing Raster Images

If you need to modify an attached raster image, follow these steps:

1. Select the image you wish to edit.
2. Navigate to the Modify menu, then choose Object and select Image. This will bring up a dialog box featuring editing options such as:
   • Adjust: Modify brightness and contrast.
   • Quality: Enhance image quality parameters.
   • Transparency: Adjust how transparent the image appears within the drawing.
   • Frame: Decide whether to include a frame around the image.

Copying a Raster Image

To copy an image from an external editing program to AutoCAD, follow these steps:

1. Open the desired raster image in an editing software like Microsoft Paint or Adobe Photoshop.
2. Select everything by navigating to the Edit menu and choosing Select All (or use the shortcut CTRL + A).
3. Copy the selected image by going to the Edit menu again and clicking Copy (or use CTRL + C).
4. Return to AutoCAD and go to the Edit menu, then select Paste Special.
5. In the dialog that appears, choose Paste and select Picture (Metafile) before confirming.

Hiding Raster Images in AutoCAD

Sometimes, you may want to temporarily hide a raster image without deleting it:

1. Right-click on the selected image and choose Properties from the context menu.
2. In the Properties palette, find the Show Image option. Set it to No to hide the image and Yes to display it again.
3. Adjust Transparency settings if necessary to make the image appear either transparent or opaque.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I select multiple images at once in AutoCAD?
Yes, you can select all images in your drawing by using the Ctrl + A key combination to select all objects, including raster images.

2. How can I ensure my raster images are displayed correctly?
Verify that the image frame settings are adjusted correctly by entering the command IMAGEFRAME at the command prompt and setting it to either show or hide the image boundaries.

3. What steps should I take if a raster image is not visible in my project?
First, check if the image is attached properly through the External References palette. If not, reattach it. Also, ensure that the Show Image property is set to Yes, and that layers are not turned off or frozen.