RasterDesk and Spotlight

RasterDesk is a specialized raster editor that works within AutoCAD. The software is intended for engineers, architects, surveyors, and specialists who work with scanned drawings, plans, diagrams, and maps.

RasterDesk 22, part of the Raster Arts 2022 product line, is listed on the official website. The software improves the quality of scanned documents, corrects geometric distortions, and allows users to edit raster graphics using AutoCAD tools.

Raster Image Processing

RasterDesk includes filters for removing stray pixels, closing gaps in lines, smoothing contours, and changing the thickness of raster objects.

For color and grayscale images, users can adjust brightness, contrast, gamma, and color palettes, or convert images to monochrome raster format.

• Remove scanning artifacts.
• Correct image skew.
• Crop and scale images to a specified format.
• Correct trapezoidal and perspective distortions.
• Calibrate images using control points.

Hybrid Editing

The software allows users to edit raster objects using methods familiar to AutoCAD users. Line segments, arcs, and circles in scanned drawings can be selected and modified with precise positioning tools.

RasterDesk supports working with raster and vector graphics together. This allows individual elements of old drawings to be corrected without completely redrawing the document.

Vectorization and Scanning

Semi-automatic tracing is available for converting raster elements into vectors. The software recognizes selected linear elements and creates corresponding AutoCAD objects.

Scanning is performed through the WiseScan LE module, which supports TWAIN-compatible devices. Tools are also available for processing and saving raster files when preparing document outputs.

Compatibility

For RasterDesk 22, the developer specifies AutoCAD 2018–2022 and Windows 7, 8, and 10. A compatible version of AutoCAD must be installed.

CAD.kz can help confirm license availability and select a configuration for working with archived drawings.

RasterDesk Pro is the professional version of RasterDesk for working with scanned drawings, maps, and engineering documents in AutoCAD. It is intended for designers, surveyors, and specialists who convert paper-based technical documentation into digital form.

RasterDesk Pro 22, part of the Raster Arts 2022 product line, is listed on the official website. Unlike the basic version, it also supports automatic vectorization, automatic vector correction, and text recognition.

Raster Image Preparation

RasterDesk Pro includes filtering and geometric correction tools. The software allows users to remove defects from scanned images, straighten lines, and correct distortions introduced during scanning.

• Remove noise and gaps in lines.
• Correct rotation and scale.
• Calibrate survey plans.
• Correct color and grayscale raster images.
• Perform hybrid editing of raster and vector objects.

Automatic Vectorization

RasterDesk Pro converts raster lines, arcs, circles, and other graphical elements into AutoCAD vector objects.

After vectorization, the resulting lines can be corrected automatically by joining fragments, removing small objects, restoring connections, and aligning directions.

This helps prepare scanned drawings for further editing in a CAD environment.

Text Recognition

The professional version includes OCR tools. The official description specifies ABBYY FineReader 10 and integration with ABBYY Online OCR in the 64-bit version.

Text fragments and tables in raster images can be recognized and exported to external files.

Compatibility

RasterDesk Pro 22 supports AutoCAD 2018–2022 and Windows 7, 8, and 10. A compatible CAD platform must be installed.

CAD.kz can help clarify the configuration and purchase terms.

Scanning

The WiseScan module is everything you need for fast and intelligent scanning on all Contex scanners (Contex Card+) and TWAIN-enabled scanners.

WiseScan offers five operating modes:

• Viewing – displays the image on-screen for further processing;
• File – automatically names documents;
• Printing for replicating originals;
• Network scanning using Scan-to-Net technology;
• Batch scanning with a preset processing scenario.

When working with color images, RasterID can calculate a palette of classified colors and save it in a LUT file directly during scanning. This allows you to reduce the number of colors in the raster image, retaining only the colors of the original. Consequently, the raster file size is reduced.

Printing and Color Calibration

RasterID's standard method for printing raster images has been enhanced with the ability to print with controlled automatic image layout on a sheet or roll. This feature, thanks to optimal layout, saves paper when printing a set of raster images. You can set sheet margins, fit and crop to the sheet format, and cut into pages. For color images, individual color correction for the scanner-plotter pair is available, and standard ICC color profiles are supported.

Customized print parameters can be saved to a template file for use in batch printing.

Correcting Scanned Images

RasterID offers the following options for improving the quality of scanned raster images (in both manual and batch modes):

• Deskew;
• Four-point frame correction;
• Monochrome image filtering (de-cluttering, anti-aliasing, hole filling, line thickening and thinning);
• Color and grayscale image correction (color filters, brightness and contrast adjustment, histogram correction, gamma correction, palette correction, etc.);
• Image cropping, frame cropping, and manual cropping to a specified format;
• Resizing and scaling to the nearest format;
• Rotation and mirroring;
• Scaling;
• Conversion to full-color, indexed, and grayscale;
• Separation of color and grayscale images into monochrome layers;
• Adaptive blurring, used to eliminate image grain;
• Special tools for modifying raster graphics (the ability to draw and erase lines and objects on a raster image, enter text, etc.).

Stamp Search and Recognition (Indexing)

A scanned document can be placed in a document management system. To search for this document, a card is created with attributes that fully describe it (code, name, etc.). All this information can be taken from the document stamp. A unique feature of RasterID is its ability to search for the graphic image of the stamp (title block) on a scanned document, break it down into individual cells, and recognize the text in these cells.

To train the program to recognize a particular type of title block, simply outline the title block with a rectangle. RasterID recognizes the stamp structure, creates a list of fields that can be named and used as database field names.

Text Recognition (ABBYY FineReader)

RasterID 3.6 includes FineReader 9, an additional text recognition module from ABBYY. FineReader 9 can recognize both printed text (typographic, typewritten) and handwritten text in various languages.

FineReader options allow you to customize it for a specific task. Its settings allow you to specify:

• The language of the text to be recognized: one of forty options, including a combination of Russian and English;
• The type of text to be printed: for example, if the text was printed on a typewriter or dot matrix printer, select the appropriate option;
• The preferred character set: uppercase, lowercase, or numbers;
• FineReader offers additional features for stamp search and field recognition. In some cases, this can improve recognition quality;
• Custom OCR characters from a specified library can be used for text recognition.
• FineReader performs high-quality recognition without additional training (provided that the parameters are set correctly, such as the language).

Recognized text from the entire raster image or from a fragment thereof can be saved to an external file in *.txt format.

Transferring recognized data from a stamp

The stamp's graphic fragment and recognized text can be transferred to an external database or document management system using the Data Receiver. RasterID already implements the most common data receivers, such as MS Excel, MS Access, TDMS, ODBC (for document management systems), and a delimited text file. If necessary, users can create and connect data receivers to their own systems.

Processing automation

The required set of processing commands is defined by simply dragging a command from the list into the script field in the Batch File Wizard dialog. After specifying the command parameters, you can immediately run the processing or save the specified processing script to a separate file.

To automate the processing of large numbers of files according to a specific scenario, use the Batch Job Wizard. In this dialog, you can select a set of files or a folder with a specific file type (including subfolders), select a batch file for processing with the specified scenario, and click Run. The program generates a report on the image processing progress, which can be saved to a file.

Virtual Scanner

The virtual scanner in RasterID allows you to define a processing scenario and specify the folder on disk where scanned images will be stored. After a set period of time, the virtual scanner will access this folder and process the images stored there according to the specified scenario.

ActiveX — CSRasterTT

RasterID uses the ActiveX control CSRasterTT. Standard development tools can be used with it: object-oriented programming languages ​​such as MS Visual Basic, MS Visual C++, and Borland Delphi, which have a COM interface. Interaction between the control and other applications can vary in complexity.

For example, the ActiveX control on which the program is based can provide its raster image processing and stamp recognition capabilities within other applications. This means you can create your own program using the CSRasterTT ActiveX control as a basis; you can also add the control's functionality to an existing program.

SpotLight is a hybrid graphics editor for working with raster and vector images. It is intended for processing scanned drawings, maps, diagrams, and other technical materials.

SpotLight 22, part of the Raster Arts 2022 product line, is listed on the official CSoft Development website. Unlike RasterDesk, SpotLight is a standalone editor and does not require AutoCAD for its core operations.

Scanned Image Preparation

SpotLight includes tools for cleaning up and correcting raster documents. Users can remove stray pixels, restore broken lines, adjust contrast, and correct geometric distortions.

• Remove scanning defects.
• Correct scale and rotation.
• Correct trapezoidal distortions.
• Calibrate images using control points.
• Separate color images into layers.

The software supports monochrome, grayscale, and color raster images.

Hybrid Editing

SpotLight allows users to work with raster and vector graphics in the same document. Individual raster elements can be selected and edited using operations similar to those applied to vector primitives.

Semi-automatic tracing of raster lines is available for creating vector objects. This allows selected elements of scanned drawings to be converted into vectors without processing the entire image.

Document Handling

The software supports importing and exporting graphical data, including PDF and DWG. Command files and scripts can be executed for batch processing.

WiseScan LE allows users to scan documents and save the results in various graphical formats. Multipage document handling is also supported.

Versions and Compatibility

SpotLight is available in basic and professional editions. SpotLight Pro additionally includes automatic vectorization, OCR, and built-in scripting tools.

Windows 7, 8, and 10 are officially specified for SpotLight 22. Support for Windows 11 requires confirmation.

CAD.kz can help confirm product availability and select the appropriate edition.

SpotLight Pro is a professional hybrid graphics editor for processing scanned drawings, maps, diagrams, and other technical documentation. The software allows users to edit raster and vector objects in a single environment, convert scanned images into vectors, and recognize text.

SpotLight Pro 22, part of the Raster Arts 2022 family, is listed on the official website. It is a standalone application that does not require AutoCAD.

Scanned Document Processing

SpotLight Pro includes tools for cleaning up monochrome, grayscale, and color images. The software allows users to remove scanning defects, correct geometric distortions, and prepare archived documents for further editing.

• Remove noise, gaps in lines, and stray pixels.
• Correct skew, scale, and rotation.
• Calibrate maps using control points.
• Separate color images into raster layers.
• Correct trapezoidal and perspective distortions.

Automatic Vectorization

Unlike the basic SpotLight edition, the professional version supports automatic vectorization of entire images. The software recognizes lines, arcs, circles, hatching, text, and symbols.

After conversion, automatic correction tools are available for joining fragments, restoring connections, removing short objects, and aligning lines to specified directions.

For topographic materials, polylines can be organized by elevation levels.

Text Recognition and Automation

SpotLight Pro includes its own OCR module and ABBYY FineReader 10 recognition tools. Version 22 introduced integration of the 64-bit application with ABBYY Online OCR and the ability to export recognized tables and text to external files.

The built-in code editor supports JavaScript and VBScript. Scripts allow users to automate repetitive operations and perform batch document processing.

Compatibility

Windows 7, 8, and 10 are officially listed. Support for Windows 11 has not been confirmed. The software works with raster images, PDF, and vector data, including DWG.

CAD.kz can help select an edition and clarify implementation terms.

1-, 2-, or 3-year update subscription: all new program versions released during the subscription period. The subscription period is selected at purchase.

A one-year Subscription for SpotLight Pro updates. It is intended for perpetual license holders and grants the right to receive updates during the subscription period. Renewal terms and compatibility with previously purchased versions must be confirmed.