Importing and Exporting Image Files

Importing an Image File

Image files, including GIF, JPG, TIF, BMP, and others, can be imported into a drawing directly; for example, you might import a sketch or a logo graphic into a drawing. The Vectorworks Design Series products have an option to create a reference to the original image file, if the original image may change, and you want to keep the imported image up to date.

The following table lists the standard image import formats that are supported.

Images are compressed when they are imported into a Vectorworks file, to reduce the file size.

You can also import an image as a resource, to be used as a fill or image-based shader, for example. See Creating Image Resources for details.

To import an image file:

1. Select File > Import > Import Image File, and then select the image file to import.

Alternatively, click the file to import and drag it into an open Vectorworks file.

2. The Image Import Options dialog box opens. Specify the options for the imported image.

Information about the image file is displayed at the top. The compression method that produces the smallest file size is selected by default. Select the method that will give the best balance between compression and detail display. The file size for each type of compression is displayed to help with the selection.

If the selected option results in a file size larger than the uncompressed size, the image is imported uncompressed.

Compression Method	Description
JPEG	Provides a high amount of compression, resulting in the smallest Vectorworks file size. However, fine detail may be obscured. JPEG compression is most suitable for photographic images.
PNG	Provides a moderate amount of compression, while preserving image details; select Import as Black and White to import as a 1-bit monochrome image in PNG format

3. If Vectorworks Design Series products are installed, referencing options display. See Workgroups and Referencing for more information. Specify the reference options for the imported image as described in the following table.

Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter	Description
Reference	References the original image file (master file), so that the imported image can be updated when the master file changes
Absolute path	Stores the absolute file path of the master file. Select this option when the location of the master file will not change in the future, or if the master file is on another volume.
Path relative to current document	Stores the file path of the master file relative to the target Vectorworks file; this option is available only if the master file is on the same volume as the target file. Select this option if the target file and the master file may be moved to another volume in the future.
Save referenced cache to disk	Saves a copy of the referenced image in the target Vectorworks file; if deselected, the target file is smaller, and the image is automatically updated when the target file is opened
Automatically update reference during file open	Updates the image from the master file each time this file is opened, if the image is out of date

4. Click OK to import the image. The Object Info palette displays the image information.

If Vectorworks Landmark is installed, and the image is georeferenced, a message displays that the image has been translated according to the associated world file. See Importing and Exporting Georeferenced Images for more information.

5. Imported images are planar objects and may be assigned to 3D planes. They can be scaled, rotated, and cropped. See Cropping Imported Images for more information about cropping.

The Trim, Clip, and Shear tools cannot be used on an imported image.

Images imported into the file that are not already in JPEG format can be compressed by JPEG with the Compress Images command. See Compressing Images.

If you use the Delete Outside Crop button from the Object Info palette to modify the imported image, the reference will be broken.

A referenced image file can be opened with the default application associated with this file type. To open a referenced image file, use one of the following methods:

●    Ctrl-click (Mac) or right-click (Windows) the referenced image in the drawing area, and then select Open

●    Ctrl-click (Mac) or right-click (Windows) the referenced image file in the Navigation palette, and then select Open

●    Select the referenced image file in the Navigation palette, and then select Open from the Navigation menu

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Cropping Imported Images

Importing Manual Sketches

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