Picutre import hides drawing lines

[Feidhlim]

Hi, I"m new to the forum, but not to QCAD.
I have recently upgraded from an old QCAD version to version 6.5.2 and am encountering some difficulties with it that weren't a problem before.
OS is Mac OS, version 14.1.2.

My question is similar to here: https://www.qcad.org/rsforum/viewtopic.php?t=7769 but subtly different, so apologies if this new post is in the wrong place.

When I import a bitmap image and then start to trace it I generate a new CAD drawing over the buildings, roads etc from my photograph/bitmap. However when I click off the main lines and then hover over the bitmap, all my lines disappear each time the cursor puts attention on the main bitmap. This makes it difficult to work over my photograph layer. This wasn't an issue with my previous QCAD version and is quite frustrating.

I'd be really grateful for any help,

Thanks

Féidhlim

[andrew]

The reason:

QCAD displays the currently highlighted entity that is nearest to the mouse cursor in front, so you cannot accidentally select something you cannot see. This has not changed in recent versions.

The solution:

Put the image on a separate layer and lock that layer, making the bitmap not selectable.
You might also want to change the fade property of the image to make it a bit transparent which works well for tracing.

[Feidhlim]

Many thanks Andrew, that was a really quick reply!

I was using Version 4.8.6 before and it didn't do that. For some reason that version highlights lines, but not the bitmap imports, which makes for much easier drawing over existing images.

Your method works; thank you for that work around - but it's still clunkier than the previous QCAD version that I was using before.

Any possibility to revert to the older feature?

Thanks,

Féidhlim

[andrew]

You can disable highlighting of entities completely under:
Edit > Application Preferences > Graphics View > Behavior > Highlight entity within range (untick)

The behaviour is desired when working with overlapping bitmaps. A separate preference might be added for bitmaps.

[Feidhlim]

Thanks for that. I still preferred the older version of QCAD in that instance where bitmaps weren't highlighted by hovering over them at all, making overlain lines easier to read during work.

[andrew]

QCAD 3.29.4 is now available which has a new preference for this (images are not raised by default).

I would still strongly recommend to put background images on a locked layer for tracing to prevent accidental selection or modification.

[Feidhlim]

Thanks Andrew, much appreciated.