Attaching underlays created in other file formats

 

When you attach an underlay, a picture representation of the file’s contents is inserted into the drawing. An underlay is similar to an image and different from an external reference in that it cannot be linked and automatically updated.

 

You can attach underlays using files that have the following formats:

 

• PDF format — Portable document format viewable using Adobe® Acrobat® Reader® and Adobe® Acrobat. The PDF format uses the .pdf file extension.
• Autodesk® DWF format — Autodesk Design Web Format(used with .dwf files) is used to distribute a drawing for others to view in a Web browser, review, and edit using free Autodesk software and tools. The DWF format uses the .dwf file extension.
• DGN format — Drawing files used with Bentley Microstation. The DGN for-mat uses the .dgn file extension.
• PCG format — Point cloud files used by Autodesk® software and tools. The PCG format uses the .pcg file extension.
• ISD format — Point cloud files used by CADdirect 2022. The ISD format uses the .isd file extension.

 

Attaching a PDF underlay

 

Attaching a .pdf file is similar to attaching an image file.

 

To attach a PDF underlay

 

Use one of the following methods:

 

• On the ribbon, choose Insert > PDF Underlay (in Data).
• On the menu, choose Insert > PDF Underlay.
• Type pdfattach and then press Enter.

 

Choose the .pdf file you want to attach.

 

Click Open.

 

Specify which page of the .pdf file to attach.

 

Select an insertion point.

 

Enter the scale in which to insert the .pdf file.

 

Enter the rotation to use for the insertion.

 

Attaching a DWF underlay

 

Attaching a .dwf file is similar to attaching an image file.

 

To attach a DWF underlay

 

Use one of the following methods:

 

• On the ribbon, choose Insert > DWF Underlay (in Data).
• On the menu, choose Insert > DWF Underlay.
• Type dwfattach and then press Enter.

 

Choose the .dwf file you want to attach.

 

Click Open.

 

Select an insertion point.

 

Enter the scale in which to insert the .dwf file.

 

Enter the rotation to use for the insertion.

 

Attaching a DGN underlay

 

Attaching a .dgn file is similar to attaching an image file.

 

To attach a DGN underlay

 

Use one of the following methods:

 

• On the ribbon, choose Insert > DGN Underlay (in Data).
• On the menu, choose Insert > DGN Underlay.
• Type dgnattach and then press Enter.

 

Choose the .dgn file you want to attach.

 

Click Open.

 

Select an insertion point.

 

Enter the scale in which to insert the .dgn file.

 

Enter the rotation to use for the insertion.

 

Attaching a point cloud underlay

 

A point cloud is a set of 3D points that represents the surface of an entity in three dimensions. Point cloud files are typically created by 3D-scanners. Attaching a point cloud file (.pcg or .isd file) is similar to attaching an image file.

 

To attach a point cloud underlay

 

Do one of the following to choose Point Cloud Underlay:

 

• On the ribbon, choose Insert > Point Cloud Underlay (in Data).
• On the menu, choose Insert > Attach Point Cloud...
• Type pointcloudattach and then press Enter.

 

Choose the .pcg or .isd file you want to attach.

 

Click Open.

 

Select an insertion point.

 

Enter the scale in which to insert the point cloud file.

 

Enter the rotation to use for the insertion.