2d png cutout file import in autocad 2014 ?

[rock1]

I have a friend of mine who is saying that AutoCAD 2014 and 2015 versions have the ability to import 2d transparent png cutout files perfectly. I'm talking about the same type of files e.g. photorealistic people that one uses in photoshop post processing.

 

I think he is lying. Just want to verify.

[ReMark]

I believe one must use the IMAGEATTACH command to bring a PNG file into an AutoCAD drawing. As far as as "transparent" cutout files are concerned I can't say one way or the other. Maybe another forum member can enlighten us both.

[lrm]

rock1, bad news, I do not think your friend was lying. I did a quick test of png transparency with AutoCAD 2014 and was successful. I created a Default Generic Material that references a PNG file that has a transparent background. I created the png image with GIMP (a free, open source image editing program similar to Photoshop). The generic material in AutoCAD has an option to assign a material a "Cutouts" map. I used the same png image file for both the image map and the cutout map. Be sure to set an appropriate AND SAME scale for both maps. The transparency effect can be seen when Visual Style is set to Realistic and when you render. I usually create a separate Cutout map that is black where the image should be transparent and white where is should be totally opaque but in this case the same png picture worked for both purposes as the background color of a png is black when transparency is not supported.

 

The material defined with a transparent png material is applied to the flat plane and a checkerboard material is applied to a box in this image.The Conceptual visual style clearly shows the two objects.

With the Realistic visual style active you can see the effect of the cutout maps.

Edited January 3, 2015 by lrm

[rock1]

Thanks.