You can use Windows metafiles (or bitmaps) to depict symbols on diagrams. Using the extensibility provided through the USRPROPS file, you can assign metafiles to symbol types and then draw them on the diagram from the toolbar, as you do with all System Architect symbols.

System Architect creates a metafile of your entire diagram. This metafile is displayed in the Explorer window view used in Microsoft Word reports.

System Architect and System Architect XT render the different types of metafiles in different ways.

Standard metafile images contain vector commands (or records) that Windows renders on the screen. These metafiles are displayed normally by System Architect and the other tools in the suite, such as System Architect Publisher, and System Architect XT. These metafile types can be scaled without the loss of image quality.

These file types use the .WMF file name extension.

Metafiles can contain raster (that is, bitmap images) and vector information. The metafiles with bitmap images in them do not retain their quality when scaled (the bitmap in them become jagged when enlarged and jumbled when reduced). The System Architect suite of tools usually renders these images normally; though as standard bitmaps, increasing or decreasing their size affects their quality.

These file types use the .WMF file name extension.

Metafiles with Enhanced Metafile Records possess the same properties as the Metafiles described above, but they also contain additional records standard metafiles do not. For example, they can contain description strings, color pallet information, or records to enable image gradients, among other types. These metafiles types are typically provided by Microsoft PowerPoint and Clip Art Library or Microsoft Visio. Although System Architect and System Architect XT usually render these Metafiles correctly, occasionally, some metafiles with enhanced records are not rendered correctly.

These file types also use the .WMF filename extension.