Product(s):	Raster Manager
	Version(s):	All
	Environment:	N/A
	Area:	N/A
	Subarea:	N/A
	Original Author:	Bentley Technical Support Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General

What is Raster Manager?

Raster Manager is a high-performance raster engine that allows the display of raster reference files in MicroStation. Raster Manager is a combination of MicroStation's Raster Reference and Image Manager, which provides users with a variety of image manipulation tools, such as warping, image navigation, interactive placement modification and non-destructive raster clipping tools.

Other than with MicroStation/J, can Raster Manager run with any additional products?

Yes, Raster Manager is also certified with MicroStation PowerDraft v7.1.

Can I install Raster Manager under two different installations of MicroStation on a single computer?

Yes.

Will Image Manager continue to be delivered with MicroStation in the future?

No. Raster Manager will be delivered in place of Image Manager.

Will Raster Manager replace MicroStation Descartes/MicroStation ReproGraphics Image Manager?

For MicroStation/J, only MicroStation Raster Reference and Image Manager are replaced. When MicroStation Descartes/MicroStation ReproGraphics are used, they both have their own version of Image Manager.

For MicroStation V8, Raster Manager will be the standard default raster engine. A new version of MicroStation Descartes, based on Raster Manager will be released soon.

Will MicroStation Descartes/MicroStation ReproGraphics work with Raster Manager?

If MicroStation Descartes or MicroStation ReproGraphics are loaded while Raster Manager is displaying images, the images will be transferred to Image Manager. The upcoming version 8 of MicroStation Descartes will support Raster Manager.

A Beta version of Descartes is currently available at the following location for SELECT Services members: http://selectservices.bentley.com/downloads/web/index.htm

Does Raster Manager run under MicroStation SE?

No. Only MicroStation/J v7.1 and later are supported.

How much disk space will I need to clip a 100MB image?

Raster Manager's clipping is done entirely in memory (RAM).

Now that .PRJ files no longer exist in Raster Manager, what do I have to do if I open a .DGN file that has a .PRJ file attached to it?

You must first open your design file and then import your .PRJ file using File > Project > Import.

Can I still use Image Manager after Raster Manager is installed?

Raster Manager supercedes and therefore disables Raster Reference and Image Manager. Once installed, you will no longer have access to Image Manager or Raster Reference on that particular installation. The Raster Manager installation will not affect existing installations of the MicroStation Descartes and MicroStation ReproGraphics Image Manager, which will function as usual.

Where is the Raster Manager Help file located?

The Raster Manager Help file is located under \Bentley\Documentation\raster_manager_en.chm.

With MicroStation 2004 Edition's Raster Manager utility, how can I optimize my image display time?

In the 2004 Edition, there is a special setting specifically designed to enhance opening speed when attaching an image via a network drive. To enable this feature, you must create the following configuration variable: MS_RASTER_LOADMODE

Set this variable to "3" in order to speed up the attach/display operation for any image accessed through a network drive. A cache file will be created on the local drive in the folder pointed to by the Windows Environment variable TMP or TEMP. You may control the location of these cached files by specifying a System Environment variable HMRTempDirectory and setting it to the desired folder on your local drive.

If images are opened from a local drive, the default value will optimize speed for local raster files (loadmode is not set in the configuration).

Plotting

When plotting monochrome raster data, how can the background color be set?

The following parameter can be used to specify the background color of monochrome raster in Raster Manager:

• BACKGROUND=0 or 1 (white or black): the raster foreground is inverted if it is identical to the background.
• BACKGROUND=2 (color): no change is made to the monochrome raster.

To set the background color, edit the following variable in the .PLT driver used to generate the plot: BACKGROUND = 0

where 0=white, 1=black, 2=color.

Editing

After moving and/or scaling raster files, where can I find a Save option to save the new georeference information?

Updated georeference data is stored in the DGN type 90 reference. When the image is detached or the design file closed, the georeference information is automatically written in the image header, or a sister file. To avoid modification of either file, open your images as read-only. To do so, simply turn on the "Open Raster Files Read-Only" in the Attach Raster Reference File dialog box. By doing so, only the type 90 reference will be updated.

How is a raster file saved in Raster Manager?

The file is automatically saved when the design file is closed and/or when the raster file is detached.

How are the foreground and background colors managed in Raster Manager?

The foreground color is identified by the color index 1 and the background is color index 0. The weight of each color is irrelevant.

Are the contrast and brightness settings saved in the raster file?

No. Contrast and brightness settings are stored in the Raster Reference attachment (type 90).

Is it possible to set more than one transparent color?

Possible values are one single color or all colors.

Is it possible to disable the Raster Preview after opening a large raster file to speed up subsequent opening of other images?

Use the Escape key to halt Raster Preview and still be able to open image files.

Loading a 1-bit image with the MicroStation/J background color set to white makes it impossible to view the image because the foreground color is the same as the background color. How can this be resolved?

If this problem occurs, simply modify the color of either the background or foreground and the image will appear. To modify the color settings, click the Show Image Settings arrow at the bottom of the main Raster Manager dialog box, or choose File > Settings > Attachment > Color from the Raster Manager menu.

When clipping, only the vector or raster is clipped. Why?

Clipping of vector and raster are independent from each other. To clip raster, choose File > Clip from the Raster Manager menu.

If I have a PRJ file from MicroStation ReproGraphics or MicroStation Descartes which has more than one color set to transparent or translucent, will this be retained when I convert the PRJ file to Raster Manager type 90 attachments?

Yes, multiple color transparencies will be retained when the project is opened in Raster Manager. However, when you re-open this image with more than one color set to either translucent or transparent, you will no longer have the ability to remove or add color transparencies.

Some images are displayed in black, what can I do to resolve this?

Add the HMRTempDirectory variable to your System Environment variables and set it to a drive/directory combination of your choice. This problem occurs when there is not enough free space to create the cached files on the drive where the default TEMP file is located.

How can I specify the location to store cached files?

Add the HMRTempDirectory variable to your System Environment variables and set it to a drive/directory combination of your choice.

When I attempt to open some of my Intergraph TIFF or GeoTIFF files, the images are not properly located, and sometimes, I receive the following error: "Raster is located outside the design file". How can this be remedied?

In older design files created with different MicroStation/J applications (for example I/RASB, and some Geotiff and Intergraph TIFF attachments created with Raster Manager version 07.11.36.38 or earlier), the Raster Attachment found in the design file may give a different georeference than the one found in the Raster file's header. If the file header georeference has to take precedence over the design file's Raster Attachment georeference, it is suggested to use the Utilities > Preferences > Raster Manager dialog box and set the "File Georeference Has Priority When Raster Is Loaded" to on. When the design file is closed, then reopened, this will allow the images to place themselves according to the raster file header's georeference and to overwrite the georeference found in the design file's Raster Attachments. Previously, it was necessary to detach and reattach the images to overcome this problem.

Supported Formats

Is LZW compression supported?

Raster Manager does not support LZW compression.

How do I open an Intergraph file that was saved with Raster Manager into MicroStation I/RAS B, while keeping the geo-location information intact?

Raster Manager uses a special feature called "transformation matrix," which lets you "dynamically" warp an image. Some features of the transformation matrix are not supported in Intergraph raster formats. On-the-fly supported transformations are move and scale.

Rotation and Affinity transformations can be displayed in MicroStation I/RAS B by applying the transformations to the file rather than to the transformation matrix.

Before closing the design file or detaching the image:

1. Use the Raster Manager Save As command.
2. Specify a name for the file. A new name will create a new file; using the same name will re-write the original file.
3. Click Options....
4. Turn on Resampled.
5. Click OK, then click OK again.
6. The raster file can now be opened in MicroStation I/RAS B.

How do I view the default unit for my GeoTIFF and World file unit?

It is possible to view or set the GeoTIFF and World file unit under the MicroStation menu Workspace > Preferences > Raster Manager.

When opening a file from MicroStation I/RAS B, it does not display properly. What is wrong?

If the raster file was already attached as a Raster Manager file, it is possible that the georeference information stored in the type 90 (raster attachment information stored in the design file) has priority over the georeference information stored in the raster file's header.

To have Raster Manager always use the raster file's georeference header information:

1. Choose Workspace > Preferences....
2. From the Category list, select Raster Manager.
3. Turn on the option "File Georeference has Priority when Raster is loaded."
4. Click OK.

Are GeoTiff files using unknown units supported?

Yes, when a GeoTiff has an unknown unit, you can set the default values in Workspace > Preferences under the "GeoTiff Default Unit Label" field.

1. Choose Workspace > Preferences....
2. From the Category list, select Raster Manager.
3. Locate the item "GeoTiff Default Unit Label".
4. Enter the required unit label.
5. Click OK.

Can I read my World file in different units?

Yes, you can set your own units in the Workspace > Preferences menu under the "WorldFile Default Unit Label" field. The default unit is set to m for meters.

• Choose Workspace > Preferences....
• From the Category list, select Raster Manager.
• Locate the item "WorldFile Default Unit Label."
• Enter the unit label you want.
• Click OK.

Why is the location of my Intergraph files lost when I use the offline raster conversion utility?

When converting file formats which refer to a DGN file for georeference information, because "rastconv.ma" operates offline, the utility cannot access the referenced DGN file and the proper creation of Intergraph format output files is impossible. Use Raster Manager's Batch Conversion tool for these formats.

What image formats does Raster Manager support?

The following table lists the image formats supported by Raster Manager:

 

File Format Name File Extension Color Mode Compression Options Internet TIFF .iTIFF 24 Bit Color None                 Grey Scale JPEG Minimum Loss         JPEG Low Loss         JPEG Medium Loss         JPEG High Loss         Deflate                 256 Colors None         Deflate                 Monochrome None         CCITT FAX4         PackBits         RLE1         Deflate                 RGB Alpha None         Flashpix         Deflate   CALS (TYPE1) .cal Monochrome CCITT FAX4 HGR         World File Georeferenced TIFF .tif RGB Alpha None Tiled     24 Bit Color                   Grey Scale PackBits Tiled       JPEG Minimum Loss         JPEG Low Loss         JPEG Medium Loss         JPEG High Loss                 16 Colors None Tiled     256 Colors PackBits                 Monochrome None Tiled       CCITT FAX4         PackBits   HMR .hmr 256 Colors None         PackBits         Deflate                 Monochrome None         CCITT FAX4         PackBits   IMG (24 Bit) .a 24 Bit Color None HGR         World File IMG .p 256 Colors None HGR     Grey Scale   World File Intergraph 29 .c29 256 Colors RLE8 Tiled     Grey Scale     Intergraph CIT .cit Monochrome CCITT FAX4   Intergraph COT .cot 256 Colors None Tiled     Grey Scale     Intergraph RGB .rgb 24 Bit Color None Tiled Intergraph RLE .rle Monochrome RLE1   Intergraph TG4 .tg4 Monochrome CCITT FAX4   JPEG (JFIF) .jpg 24 Bit Color JPEG Minimum Loss HGR     Grey Scale JPEG Low Loss World File       JPEG Medium Loss         JPEG High Loss   PCX .pcx 256 Colors None HGR     Grey Scale   World File PNG .png 24 Bit Color Deflate HGR     16 Colors   World File     256 Colors         Grey Scale         Monochrome         RGB Alpha     Sun Raster .rs 256 Colors None HGR     Grey Scale   World File TIFF .tif RGB Alpha None HGR     24 Bit Color   World File         Tiled               Grey Scale PackBits HGR       JPEG Minimum Loss World File       JPEG Low Loss Tiled       JPEG Medium Loss         JPEG High Loss                 16 Colors None HGR     256 Colors PackBits World File         Tiled               Monochrome None HGR       CCITT FAX4 World File       PackBits Tiled Targa .tga 24 Bit Color None HGR     256 Colors   World File     Grey Scale         RGB Alpha     Windows BMP .bmp Monochrome None HGR     24 Bit Color   World File     16 Colors                   256 Colors None HGR       BMP RLE8 World File

 

Why are TIFF files (with World files) found on the Web not opened at the right location in Raster Manager?

The main reason for this problem is that most of the time, these files are in fact GeoTIFF files. World files provide georeference information for applications that do not support the GeoTIFF format. In order for Raster Manager to read the values contained in the World file, turn OFF the "File Georeference Has Priority when Raster Is Loaded" in Workspace > Preferences > Raster Manager and use the RASTER SETCONFIG USEGEOTIFFSISTERFILE... keyins to make the worldfile location values override the geotiff header's location information.
Use the keyins as follows:

• RASTER SETCONFIG USEGEOTIFFSISTERFILEON to enable geotiff positioning with TFW worldfile
• RASTER SETCONFIG USEGEOTIFFSISTERFILEOFF to disable geotiff positioning with worldfile and use geotiff header information for raster positioning

See Also

Product TechNotes and FAQs

 

External Links

Bentley Technical Support KnowledgeBase

 

Comments or Corrections?

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