CAD & Visualisation
Course code : ENVT1023
Course co-ordinator : David Watson
ZVI Project Help
Your ZVI analysis map should look something like the one below.
To achieve this result, you should plot the AutoCAD results drawing to an EPS file using the scale of the OS raster map (1:50,000). Then open the EPS file in Photoshop using the same resolution as the raster map (100px/cm). Magically, the scales will match!
You'll still need to position the results on the map base, so why not draw some grid lines on the AutoCAD results drawing and import that drawing in the same way. Matching up the grid lines will give you the perfect result in terms of scale and positioning.
Related Tutorials
For more information on the various techniques for moving images from AutoCAD to Photoshop (including plotting to EPS), see the AutoCAD to Photoshop tutorial on the CADTutor website.
Detailed instructions for setting up an EPS plotter in AutoCAD are given in the Setting up a PostScript Plotter tutorial.
Detailed Instructions
The AutoCAD Plot dialogue box is shown below with the correct settings for the ZVI exercise.
- Select PostScript Level2.pc3 from the list of plotter names.
- Set the paper size to ISO A4.
- Deselect "Fit to paper" if it is selected.
- To plot at 1:50,000 (the base map scale), enter the values 1,000mm = 50,000 units (1,000mm because our drawing is in metres) OR enter the values 1mm = 50 units (which is the same thing - the thousands cancel each other out).
- Preview the plot to make sure it all looks good - if not, check your values.
- If the preview looks OK, right-click and select "Plot" - AutoCAD displays the Browse for Plot File dialogue box. Choose a location and a enter a filename for your EPS file.
In Photoshop, open the EPS file and then enter the values shown in the Rasterize Generic EPS Format dialogue box, below.
- Set the units to pixels per centimetre (pixels/cm).
- Set the resolution to 100.
- For best results, deselect Anti-aliased.