In placing \externalfigure[file] I observe the figure is placed with its bottom on the baseline, thus:

    [externalfigure]
--------------------------- baseline

I looked into the option list of setupexternalfigure but could not find one whereby the location with respect to the baseline is either top, bottom or center.
Such an option might not exist and then I must program around it. But I prefer to use something that is already there and fits my needs.

yours sincerely
dr. Hans van der Meer