How to export your BricsCAD drawing as an image (JPEG or PNG)?

ByCADbrief Staff

Short Answer

Yes — in BricsCAD, the most common professional way to export your drawing as a JPEG or PNG is to use BMPEXPORT and choose the image format in the save dialog. This is the fastest standard workflow for creating a raster image from the current drawing view. Limitation: output quality depends on your current view and resolution settings.

What You Need to Know Before

Warning: BMPEXPORT exports the current displayed view, not a smart vector output, so zoom level, visual style, lineweight display, and screen resolution can directly affect the result. If your model is partially off-screen or clipped, the exported image will reflect that mistake.

How to Export Your BricsCAD Drawing as an Image

  • Command: BMPEXPORT

  • Shortcut: No default shortcut

  • Quick Steps:

    1. Open the drawing and zoom to the exact area you want to export, then go to the command line and run BMPEXPORT.
    2. In the export dialog, choose JPEG or PNG as the file type and specify the save location.
    3. Set the export area or current view as needed, confirm options such as resolution or background if available, then save the file.

Variables & Settings

  • Key Setting: Image file type in the export dialog

  • Expert Setting: Choose PNG when you need cleaner linework or transparency support in downstream documentation workflows. Use JPEG for smaller file size, but expect compression artifacts around text and line edges.

Why it Fails

  • Cause 1 (Geometry): The wrong model area is exported because the user did not zoom or frame the required geometry before running the command.

  • Cause 2 (layers/Locks): Important objects are on frozen, off, or viewport-hidden layers, so they do not appear in the exported image.

  • Cause 3 (Command/Logic): The export is taken from the current screen view, so visual style, lineweight display, and display resolution may produce an image that looks different from plotted output.

Quick Fix & Best Practice

  • Quick Fix: Run ZOOM > Extents or window the exact area first, then run BMPEXPORT again and save as PNG for sharper results.
  • Manager’s Verdict: Use BMPEXPORT for quick previews, reports, and markups. Avoid it for final print-grade deliverables when a plotted PDF gives more predictable output control.

FAQ

Can bricscad export directly to PNG?

Yes, BMPEXPORT can save the drawing view as a PNG.

Is PNG better than JPEG for CAD drawings?

Yes, PNG is usually better for linework, text, and sharp edges.

Why does my exported image look different from print output?

Because the image export uses the current display view, not a full plot-style driven print workflow.

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