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Best practice for inserting logos/pictures in a drawing?

Question asked by Michael Miller on Dec 8, 2020
Latest reply on Dec 10, 2020 by Michael Miller

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What is your procedure for adding pictures to drawing templates? I used to do the Insert/Picture method but I ran into problems upgrading to 2021. Below are some screenshots.....

Upon opening a drawing w/ 2021 last saved in 2020. The logo flips upside down and explodes. Zoom doesn't affect it.

When I jump to another sheet and back again, this is what I see. The logo is completely gone and it shows one of the drawing views instead.

If I delete the picture in the sheet format everything is fine. As soon as I re-insert it, I get the same problem.

Is there a better way to do this?

John Stoltzfus Dec 9, 2020 3:21 PM

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I have inserted JPEG pictures in our Template title block for years, never had an issue. Just edit the Sheet and insert the picture using copy and paste from an open picture, adjust the size and viola - done...

Forget the Insert Picture

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Jeff Parker Dec 8, 2020 1:39 PM
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Images are a convenient way to place your logo, but the better solution is to trace or recreate the logo as a sketch and use that in your sheet format instead.

What you are seeing is most likely an issue with 2021 and if it happens every time I would submit this to your VAR to see if it is a known issue and if it will be fixed in a service pack.
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Mark Kaiser Dec 8, 2020 1:46 PM
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You could do it as a sketch block, using hatch fill to make solid colors.
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Michael Miller Dec 8, 2020 1:58 PM
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Jeff Parker and Mark Kaiser, you're saying I should recreate the logo as sketch entities?
That would work, I believe....I'm willing to put some time into something that will be stable.
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Tom Gagnon Dec 8, 2020 2:14 PM
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What format is your logo image? I use PNG image file to control transparency.
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Jeff Parker @ Michael Miller on Dec 8, 2020 2:18 PM
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It is stable because most of your title block is also made of sketch entities. Just remember to save out your sheet format once you are done to make it easier to replace the title block on older drawings.

I would also shy away from hatching unless you print or PDF your drawings in color. If so, hatch with a solid color.
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Michael Miller @ Tom Gagnon on Dec 8, 2020 2:31 PM
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Good old JPG......

Would BMP or PNG work better?
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Mark Kaiser @ Michael Miller on Dec 8, 2020 2:44 PM
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I am talking about tools>block>insert. I have not put a sketch block on a sheet format, so not sure how that works. I see your logo also looks like it fades from lighter blue to darker blue, not sure how to achieve that with a sketch and solid hatch.

Attached a screenshot for reference.
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- Sketch Block.png604.7 KB
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Tom Gagnon @ Michael Miller on Dec 8, 2020 2:45 PM
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I believe PNG works better. I recall hearing that from a presentation at a user group meeting. If there's a JPG trouble due to a version bug, try to get a PNG and try it.
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Michael Miller @ Tom Gagnon on Dec 8, 2020 3:09 PM
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PNG = same problem. [need a head-bang emoji...]

I'm still digging, though. I'll try BMP next.

Update: TIF and BMP have the same problem as PNG and JPG.

Maybe I'll have to try a GIF!
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Matt Peneguy @ Michael Miller on Dec 8, 2020 3:15 PM
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I messaged you my email address. If you send me the logo, I'll see if I can convert it over to vector for you.
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Tom Gagnon @ Michael Miller on Dec 8, 2020 3:32 PM
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If that's the case, I think the issue may be with all image types. I'd try Mark Kaiser's suggestion next, or pursue it to VAR support.
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Matt Peneguy @ Michael Miller on Dec 8, 2020 4:16 PM
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Michael Miller wrote:

PNG = same problem. [need a head-bang emoji...]

I'm still digging, though. I'll try BMP next.

Update: TIF and BMP have the same problem as PNG and JPG.

Maybe I'll have to try a GIF!
Michael,
Check your email. I enlarged the tiff you sent me and then exported it to png. I'm not happy I wasn't able to vectorize it for you, but the file should be sufficient to print without a visible problem. SW doesn't like gradients in WMF (vector) format, and it doesn't accept SVG for no good reason...
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Matt Peneguy @ Matt Peneguy on Dec 8, 2020 4:24 PM
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1-2Z6Y3OX wrote:

Michael Miller wrote:

PNG = same problem. [need a head-bang emoji...]

I'm still digging, though. I'll try BMP next.

Update: TIF and BMP have the same problem as PNG and JPG.

Maybe I'll have to try a GIF!
Michael,
Check your email. I enlarged the tiff you sent me and then exported it to png. I'm not happy I wasn't able to vectorize it for you, but the file should be sufficient to print without a visible problem. SW doesn't like gradients in WMF (vector) format, and it doesn't accept SVG for no good reason...
Sorry Michael,
For some reason, I was thinking you were having quality issues. The file I sent you will probably still give you problems. I'll work on a B&W version in vector format this evening. I'll get it done, stuff like this bothers me.
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Michael Miller @ Matt Peneguy on Dec 8, 2020 4:46 PM
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I am installing SP1 right now. Maybe that will clear it up.

If it doesn't, I'm going to complain to GoEngineer.

(Why don't we have more "frustrated" emojis here? This is SolidWorks! Everyone knows we'll be exasperated...… )
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Scott Perman Dec 8, 2020 4:44 PM
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I have our logo in our title block. (I did it several years ago and don't remember how.)
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Michael Miller Dec 8, 2020 4:48 PM
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2021 SP1 makes no difference. For a few minutes I thought it was going to work..... but nope, Murphy's Law kicked in.

I'm right back to square one. What fun!
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Frederick Law Dec 8, 2020 4:58 PM
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I don't see that problem.
I insert PNG while editing Sheet Format.

I don't know how I insert it before.
Inserting a new one its a different "feature" and behave differently.
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Frederick Law Dec 8, 2020 5:26 PM
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Open the Logo in Paint or Paint 3D.
Does it look correct?
Save it as a new JPEG, BMP, PNG.
Try insert in SW.
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Matt Peneguy @ Michael Miller on Dec 8, 2020 7:29 PM
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Michael Miller wrote:

I am installing SP1 right now. Maybe that will clear it up.

If it doesn't, I'm going to complain to GoEngineer.

(Why don't we have more "frustrated" emojis here? This is SolidWorks! Everyone knows we'll be exasperated...… )
I just emailed you a solidworks block that you can import and resize:
It's a vector block and I'll be very surprised if it doesn't work. Just click on a line in the block and right click and you are presented with the properties where you can resize it:

I couldn't get the solid fills to work correctly from AutoCAD.
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Michael Miller @ Matt Peneguy on Dec 9, 2020 1:59 PM
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I tried your block that you sent over. It works but I can't fill the inside of the oval or the lettering.
It will get me by for now, but I want a colorized one......

I also tried the block that you sent this morning. I can scale it but it covers some of the lettering.
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Michael Miller @ Frederick Law on Dec 9, 2020 1:55 PM
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Frederick Law wrote:

Open the Logo in Paint or Paint 3D.
Does it look correct?
Save it as a new JPEG, BMP, PNG.
Try insert in SW.

I've tried all those with no luck. Also GIF, TIF, and the old BMP.

It explodes without fail, no matter if it's in the sheet format or added later. IOW any picture, regardless of file type, refuses to cooperate. If works fine until I insert a model view after which it flips upside down, blows waaaay up, and refuses to zoom in/out with the drawing.

Know what the other weird part is? Sometimes after deleting the guilty image I see this:

It only goes away after Ctrl+Q, but the model view also disappears. After I click on the model view to see if I can edit it, I get the black screen again.

Should I call Siemens?
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Scott Perman @ Michael Miller on Dec 9, 2020 2:03 PM
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Have you contacted your VAR?
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Michael Miller @ Scott Perman on Dec 9, 2020 2:19 PM
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Scott Perman wrote:

Have you contacted your VAR?

You mean Siemens?

Actually I haven't yet. But I'm about ready to rattle their cage. Should I just call them or try to submit an SPR?
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Scott Perman @ Michael Miller on Dec 9, 2020 2:35 PM
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Michael Miller wrote:

Scott Perman wrote:

Have you contacted your VAR?
You mean siemens?

Stop teasing! (I'm a former NX user.)
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Melissa Newby Dec 9, 2020 3:07 PM
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I believe our logo was inserted by copying the image with something like Snipping Tool and pasting it (ctrl+V) onto the sheet format. It is not an "Insert > Picture". We are also not on 2021, so I don't know if this will help you or not.
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