About

AutoCAD has no Bind option available to bind raster images to a drawing. JTB Raster2OLE app for AutoCAD will help you to do that.

Run Raster2OLE and all raster images in the drawing will be converted to OLE objects.

Run Raster2OLE_Batch and all raster images in the drawing will be converted to OLE objects on multiple selected drawing files.

You may have company logos or other images (raster files) attached but customer or project CAD requirements might say that no external files are allowed.

This app even works for some images that IEMBED command in Raster Design fails to embed as it can only embed bitonal images.

What are Raster Images? Raster images consist of a rectangular grid of small squares or dots known as pixels. For example, a photograph of a house is made up of a series of pixels colorized to represent the appearance of a house. A raster image references the pixels in a specific grid. Common file formats are: .bmp, .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .tif, .tiff.

When you plot upside-down, an OLE object does not plot correctly. A drawing that contains hatches and gradients may plot slowly. When the plot area is set to View, AutoCAD LT may crash. When you attempt to plot a drawing with an OLE object, the OLE object may not display in the plotted output. Autocad creates auxilliary anonymous blocks for displaying certain objects, such as dimension, hatch, etc. It is impossible to create such a block oneself. This option converts anonymous blocks found in the file into ordinary blocks, which makes it possible to recover them on draft.

What is OLE? Object Linking & Embedding is a proprietary technology developed by Microsoft that allows embedding and linking to documents and other objects. Microsoft Object Linking and Embedding (OLE) is a Microsoft Windows technology, which does not work in AutoCAD for Mac. When you open a drawing that contains and OLE object, it does not display in AutoCAD for Mac.

In Autodesk's Revit when exporting to DWG all images are attached to the exported drawing as external references just like as if 'Attach Image' or IMAGEATTACH is used within AutoCAD. The dialog box 'Modify DWG/DXF Export Setup' (accessed via Export>CAD Formats>DWG or DXF, alternativelly via Export>Options>Export Setups DWG/DXF) does not have any setting that will bind or embed images in the exported file.

In AutocCAD's External References Palette there is no Bind for image references and there is no Bind option for the -IMAGE command either. Raster image files are also included as separate files when using the ETransmit command even when 'Bind external references' is used because it only binds DWG files.

No bind as can be seen running the -IMAGE command:
Command: -IMAGE
Enter image option [?/Detach/Path/Reload/Unload/Attach] <Attach>:

Current limitations: Images that are clipped, brightness adjusted, contrast adjusted, fade adjusted, with background transparency are not retaining their settings. AutoCAD doesn't support high resolution OLE image (possibly above 1600x1200 pixles). OLE image might turn out to be blank. If any of this needs to be addressed contact us.

Download

Trial License will expire in 15 days after first usage. In Trial Mode, you can't use the batch functionality. Support is available during the trial as well as after purchase.

JTB Raster2OLE can be downloaded here, or in Autodesk App Store.

If purchase has been done via Autodesk App Store the download is available on the Autodesk App Store My Downloads page. Sign in with the same account used when purchasing.

Subscribe to our JTB Raster2OLE newsletter or any of our other Newsletters.

System requirements

Operating system: same as the CAD software is running on.

Compatible with AutoCAD versions (2013 and up to AutoCAD 2021). Works with all flavors/verticals based on AutoCAD like AutoCAD Architecture (ACA), AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Electrical , AutoCAD Map 3D, AutoCAD Mechanical, AutoCAD MEP (AMEP, ABS), AutoCAD P&ID, AutoCAD Plant 3D, Autodesk Advance Steel.

Purchase

50 USD for one license of JTB Raster2OLE or less depending on the quantity of licenses.

If you have really many users that you want to give access to this software we can discuss a discounted price based on your particular situation. Educational discounts available.

The license is perpetual. Support and upgrades is included for a minimum of 2 years after purchase. If you have more than one computer and you are the only user of the application one license is enough.

Purchase JTB Raster2OLE from the Autodesk App Store site.

Purchase directly from us. Click on Buy Now below.

Once installed, the app is running in Trial Mode, with Trial License. Trial License will expire 15 days after first usage. In Trial Mode, you can use Raster2OLE command only. See activation instructions here: JTB World Apps Licensing.

If purchase has been done via Autodesk App Store the download is available on the Autodesk App Store My Downloads page. Sign in with the same account used when purchasing.

If your company is tax exempt note that BlueSnap does not currently offer a way to prevent tax from being charged on orders. We need a copy of the tax exempt certificate to refund the tax if already paid.

Available payment methods depending on country where payment is done from: Local Bank Transfer (Canada), Wire Transfer to Canada, Interac e-Transfer, Cheque (to Canada). Via BlueSnap (Global Payment Gateway) these methods may be available (not a complete list as it is updated from time to time by BlueSnap): Credit card (Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, JCB, Carte Bleue), PayPal, Local Bank Transfer, Wire Transfer, ACH, Google Pay, UK Direct Debit, Smart Debit, Real-time Bank Transfer, Electronic Check (ECP), Apple Pay, Skrill (Moneybookers), WebMoney, Sofort, Giropay, iDeal, ENETS and Alipay (SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) Direct Debit, PaySafeCard, Ukash, cashU, Boleto Bancario, Boleto Bancario can be made available upon request) - Refund policy

Documentation

Raster2OLE - All raster images in the current drawing will be converted to OLE objects. Command is available on the command line or from ribbon button on Add-ins (or Plug-ins) tab.
Raster2OLE_Batch - Batch process multiple selected drawing files. Command is available on the command line or from ribbon button on Add-ins (or Plug-ins) tab.
JTBW_Activate_Apps - Run this command to activate the app.

Note: Once installed, the app is running in Trial Mode, with Trial License. Trial License will expire 15 days after first usage. In Trial Mode, you can use Raster2OLE command only. See activation instructions here: JTB World Apps Licensing.

Version History

2020-07-26 - version 1.3.1

Upgraded to License 4.3

2020-05-09 - version 1.3.0

Added AutoCAD 2021 support.

2019-03-28 - version 1.2.1

Added AutoCAD 2020 support.

2018-03-30 - version 1.2

Added support for rotated, mirrored raster images
Fix undo action

2018-03-22 - version 1.1

Added AutoCAD 2019 support.

2018-02-19 - version 1.0

First release

License agreement

The license agreement is found here.

Customers

Some JTB Raster2OLE Customers

If you want other features added feel free to contact us with your wishes.

Thank you for downloading AutoCAD^® Architecture 2013 Service Pack 2

This readme contains the latest information regarding the installation and use of the Service Pack. It is strongly recommended that you read the entire document before you apply the Service Pack to your product. For reference, you should save this document to your hard drive or print a copy.

Contents

Installation Instructions

Autocad Ole Object Not Displaying