Autodesk AutoCAD Raster Design
AutoCAD Raster Design is a specialized toolset that enables users to work with raster images in CAD drawings. It allows engineers, architects, and designers to convert, edit, enhance, and manage scanned drawings, satellite imagery, maps, and other raster-based data directly within AutoCAD.
Convert Raster Images to DWG
Use powerful raster-to-vector conversion tools to transform scanned paper drawings and images into accurate, editable DWG objects. This saves time and effort by eliminating the need to redraw legacy documents manually.
Clean, Edit, and Optimize Raster Data
AutoCAD Raster Design includes image cleanup tools such as despeckle, deskew, mirror, and brighten/contrast adjustment. You can crop, mask, and clip images to fit your drawing needs while keeping files clean and optimized.
Seamless Integration with AutoCAD
As part of the AutoCAD platform, Raster Design integrates seamlessly into your existing workflow. Work alongside DWG geometry using familiar tools, and apply raster editing functions directly within AutoCAD-based products like Civil 3D, Map 3D, and more.
Key Features
- Raster-to-vector conversion for scanned drawings
- Image cleanup tools: despeckle, deskew, rotate, crop, etc.
- Support for multiple raster formats, including GeoTIFF
- Rubber sheeting and image correlation with vector data
- Embedded geospatial data support for mapping projects
- Fully compatible with AutoCAD and DWG workflows
Who Uses AutoCAD Raster Design?
AutoCAD Raster Design is ideal for professionals working with scanned engineering drawings, legacy documentation, satellite imagery, and map data. It is widely used in architecture, civil engineering, GIS, land development, and utilities where raster-vector integration is essential.
⚠️ IMPORTANT:
Windows Only: AutoCAD Raster Design is a "Specialized Toolset" and does not have a macOS version.
Host Application: This software cannot run alone. You must have a supported version of AutoCAD (or an AutoCAD-based vertical like Civil 3D, Map 3D, Architecture, etc.) already installed.
Shared Resources: Because it runs inside AutoCAD, the requirements are essentially the same as the host AutoCAD, with an emphasis on RAM for handling large image files.
🖼️ System Requirements: AutoCAD Raster Design (2023–2026)
| Operating System (OS) |
64-bit Windows 10 (v1809+)<br>64-bit Windows 11
|
Windows 11 |
| Host Software |
AutoCAD 2023–2026 (or equivalent vertical) |
— |
| Processor (CPU) |
2.5–2.9 GHz (Basic Processor) |
3.0 GHz+ (Base), 4.0 GHz+ (Turbo)<br>(Raster processing is heavily single-threaded)
|
| Memory (RAM) |
8 GB |
16 GB (Standard)<br>32 GB+ (For high-resolution aerial imagery/GIS rasters)
|
| Graphics (GPU) |
1 GB VRAM, 29 GB/s Bandwidth<br>DirectX 11 compliant
|
4 GB+ VRAM, 106 GB/s Bandwidth<br>DirectX 12 compliant
|
| Disk Space |
1 GB free space<br>(Plus ~10GB for the host AutoCAD)
|
SSD (Solid State Drive)<br>Vital for caching large TIFF/MrSID/ECW files.
|
| Display |
1920 x 1080 True Color |
3840 x 2160 (4K) |
| Pointing Device |
MS-Mouse compliant |
— |
💡 Performance Advice for Raster Design Users
RAM is King:
Raster Design is often used to manipulate scanned blueprints or satellite imagery (GIS data). These uncompressed raster images consume massive amounts of memory.
Recommendation: If you work with aerial maps or large scanned drawing archives, 32 GB RAM is the comfortable standard.
Storage Speed (SSD):
When you insert or save a large raster image, the software reads/writes to the disk.
A slow HDD (Hard Drive) will make commands like "Rubber Sheet," "Rub," or "Crop" lag significantly. Always use an NVMe SSD.
Mac Users:
No Native Support.
Parallels Desktop: Works well. Since Raster Design is 2D-focused, it runs efficiently in a Windows Virtual Machine on Mac, provided you allocate enough RAM (16GB+) to the VM to handle the images.
Compatibility:
Ensure the version of Raster Design matches the version of AutoCAD (e.g., Raster Design 2024 requires AutoCAD 2024). You cannot mix versions.
