How to put an image behind your lines in BricsCAD?

ByCADbrief Staff

Short Answer

Yes — in BricsCAD, the most common professional way to put an image behind your lines is to attach it as a raster reference and control its draw order with DRAWORDER. Select the image, send it to back, and your linework will display in front. Limitation: this only changes display order, not image transparency.

What You Need to Know Before

Warning: if the image is attached on a locked layer or as an underlay you cannot edit the same way, draw order changes may fail or appear unchanged. Large raster images can also slow regeneration and make linework seem hidden if image fade and contrast settings are poor.

How to Put an Image Behind Your Lines in BricsCAD

  • Command: DRAWORDER

  • Shortcut: DR

  • Quick Steps:

    1. Insert or attach the image first from the Insert tab > Reference panel, then place it in the drawing.
    2. Type DRAWORDER, select the image, and press Enter.
    3. Choose Back to send the image behind all lines, polylines, hatches, and text. If needed, select the image first and use the right-click menu > Display Order > Send to Back.

Variables & Settings

  • Key Setting: Display Order = Send to Back

  • Expert Setting: This setting only affects visual stacking order in model space or paper space. It does not modify layer priority, plotting style, or make white image areas transparent.

Why it Fails

  • Cause 1 (Geometry): the image may already be behind the objects, but the linework uses a similar color or thin lineweight, so it still looks buried visually.
  • Cause 2 (layers/Locks): the image is on a locked layer, preventing selection or order changes.
  • Cause 3 (Command/Logic): the object is not a standard raster image reference, or you changed layer order instead of object draw order.

Quick Fix & Best Practice

  • Quick Fix: unlock the image layer, run DRAWORDER, and choose Back again after all references are loaded.
  • Manager’s Verdict: use this method when tracing, markups, or site backgrounds need to stay visible without interfering with CAD geometry. Avoid relying on it alone for plotting if the image is too dark; adjust image brightness or fade as well.

FAQ

Can I make the image lighter in BricsCAD?

Yes, adjust the image properties such as fade, brightness, or contrast after selecting it.

Does layer order control whether the image is behind lines?

No, object draw order controls this, not layer order.

Will the image stay in back when I reopen the file?

Yes, draw order is normally saved with the drawing.

.

Related Posts: