Windows Metafile (.wmf/.emf) export

Windows Metafile (WMF) is a graphics file format intended to be portable between applications and may contain both vector graphics and bitmap components.

Enhanced Metafile (EMF), a newer version with additional commands is a 32-bit format that can contain both vector information and bitmap information.

This format is an improvement over the Windows Metafile Format and contains extended features, such as the following:

  • Built-in scaling information
  • Built-in descriptions that are saved with the file
  • Improvements in color palettes and device independence
  • The EMF format is an extensible format, which means that a programmer can modify the original specification to add functionality or to meet specific needs. This modification can lead to incompatibilities between different types of EMF pictures.

Export

Exporting a WMF/EMF file brings up a dialog similar to the Print dialog.

Destination

Set the print dimensions of WMF/EMF images. The images are saved with a resolution of 300 DPI (Dot Per Inch).

Width

The print width of the image.

Height

The print height of the image.

Output type

Defines the printing method.

Vector Output

Prints lines, curves, and fill areas.

By default, Rhino prints everything it can using vectors.

Raster Output

Prints a bitmap image.

  • Raster Output does not support saving layers to PDF.

Output color

Defines how color is printed.

Print color

Uses the layer or property Print Color setting to print point objects, curves, annotations, and wireframes, etc. Mesh faces and surfaces are printed with display colors.

Display color

Print objects with the same wireframe color that displays in viewports.

Black and white

Converts colors to gray scale.

View and Output Scale

View list

List of viewport names and layout pages.

When a layout page is selected, the printer paper size changes to use the layout page size.

Viewport/Layout

Prints the selected viewport or layout page.

Extents

Zoom the current viewport to contain all objects in the model.

Window

Prints a selected window area.

Set

Select a new print area. The window grips can be manipulated after the window is drawn.

Multiple layouts

Select the layout pages to print. Printing to PDF results in a single PDF file with multiple pages.

All layouts

Prints all layout pages.

When printing multiple layouts to image file, multiple image files will be created all with an ascending index suffix appended to the file name.

Scale

Displays current display magnification as percentage. Select scale from the list or set the scale in paper units=model units.

On paper = In model

Sets the units used on the printed page and the equivalent units used in the model.

Margins and Position (model views only)

Sets or expands the non-print areas around the page.

Each of the options controls the position, margins, width, and height options.

Margins

Sets margins for all four sides.

Top, left, width, height

Sets the top and left margins and a width and height for the print area.

Top, right, width, height

Sets the top and right margins and a width and height for the print area.

Bottom, left, width, height

Sets the bottom and left margins and a width and height for the print area.

Bottom, right, width, height

Sets the bottom and right margins and a width and height for the print area.

Centered, width, height

Centers the print area and sets a width and height.

Match viewport aspect ratio

Sets the margins and position to the same aspect ratio as the selected viewport.

Match maximum printable area

Sets the margins to the printer maximums.

Position

Centered

Centers the image in the print area.

Offset from

If the Centered box is not checked, choose from offset options.

Lower left

Offsets the image in the print area from the lower left.

Upper left

Offsets the image in the print area from the upper left.

Lower right

Offsets the image in the print area from the lower right.

Upper right

Offsets the image in the print area from the upper right.

X, Y, offset values and unit system

Specifies the offset amount in the x and y directions and sets the offset units.

Linetypes and Line Widths

Linetype

Match pattern definition

Printed line type pattern matches values in linetype definition file.

Match viewport display

Printed linetype pattern matches the current display properties

Line width

Scale by

Multiplier to globally change printed line widths.

Default line width

Ranges from Hairline through normal drafting widths (in millimeters) through No Print.

To define your own line widths, add line width values to the printwidths.txt file in the Rhino support folder.

In the printwidths.txt file:
  • Lines begin with ; or // will be ignored.
  • Line width values have to be larger than 0.

Non-scaling objects

Point objects

Size for point objects on the printed page.

Arrowhead size

Size for arrowheads on the printed page.

Text dot font size

Size for the text dot font on the printed page.

Visibility

Optional items to include on the printed page.

Show

Background color
Prints the viewport background color.
Background bitmap

Prints the viewport background bitmap.

Wallpaper

Prints the viewport wallpaper.

The wallpaper will always scale to fit the extents of the print window.

To keep the background size constant, use a background bitmap.

Lights

Prints light objects.

Clipping Planes

Prints clipping plane objects.

Only selected objects

Prints selected objects only.

Locked objects

Prints locked objects. Clear the check box to hide locked objects on the printed page.

Grid

Prints the construction plane grid.

Grid axes

Prints the construction plane grid axes.

Margins

Allows printing a dashed line at the margins.

Text

Notes

Prints the contents of Notes window.

None

No notes printed.

Top

Prints the notes at the top of the page.

Bottom

Prints the notes at the bottom of the pages.

File name

Prints the full file name including path.

None

No file name printed.

Top

Prints the file name at the top of the page.

Bottom

Prints the file name at the bottom of the page.

Note

  • Curves are exported as a 2-D snapshot from the active viewport.
  • Surfaces and solids are exported as a polyline wireframe and curves as polylines.

See also

Wikipedia: Windows Metafile