Importing Image Files

Importing an Image File

Image files can be imported into the drawing; for example, you might import a sketch or a logo graphic. 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.

Regardless of the imported format, images are compressed to either JPEG or PNG when they are imported into a Vectorworks file.

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 of the dialog box, including the file name and type, compression, dimensions, and uncompressed size.

3. Click Edit Attributes to adjust the attributes of the imported image if needed.

The Image Attributes dialog box opens. The same dialog box can be accessed after import, by clicking Image Attributes from the Object Info palette of a selected image; alternatively, right-click (Windows) or Ctrl-click (Mac) on the image and select Edit Image Attributes from the context menu.

A preview of the image displays on the left, with the image attributes on the right. As attributes change, the preview dynamically updates.

Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter	Description
Raw Image Size	Initially, this displays the file size of the original image; if image attributes change, displays the new file size, with the original file size in parentheses. This helps evaluate the effect of image attribute changes on the file size.
Color Mode	Modifies the color of the image. Changing the color mode reduces the file size, but color information is lost. Available options depend on the selected Compression Method (PNG changes the color depth in bits per pixel, while JPEG changes the color mode without affecting the color depth) and whether the original image includes an alpha channel.
Compression Method	Select either JPEG or PNG, as described in step 5
Resampling Method	When resizing an image or changing its color mode, specify the resampling method to use; higher quality resampling provides better results, but increases the file size
Dimensions	Changes the dimensions of the image by pixels or by percentage. To maintain the image aspect ratio, keep the lock enabled; changes to one dimension also change the other. A smaller image decreases file size, but reduces image quality.
Resolution (at import only)	Specifies the image resolution at import. Changing the resolution affects the image dimensions.
Preview (after import only)	After the image has been imported into the drawing, click Preview to display the effects of image attribute changes in the drawing

4. Click OK to return to the Image Import Options dialog box (or to the Object Info palette). Any image attribute changes take effect.

5. Two compression methods are available; depending on the graphic, one of the methods may be more suitable. The compression method which produces the smallest file size is selected by default. Select the desired balance between compression and detail display. The resulting file size for each type of compression is displayed to help with the selection. The compression method selected here overrides the selection made in the Image Attributes dialog box.

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
Import as Black and White	For PNG, select to import as a 1-bit monochrome image (if selected, this overrides any other color mode selected in the Image Attributes dialog box)
Import Alpha Channel	For PNG and if the source file has an alpha channel, select to preserve the image’s transparency options; on Windows, the GDI+ imaging Vectorworks preference must be enabled

6. 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

7. 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. See Importing Georeferenced Images for more information.

8. 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.

Images with an alpha channel have a transparent background when the Attributes palette fill style is None; this helps them blend into the drawing more easily. To determine if an image has an alpha channel, look at the Format field in Image Information on the Image Import Options dialog before importing or at the Image field on the Object Info palette for a selected image. If a source file with an alpha channel was imported without the alpha channel, the only way to restore it is to reimport, with Import Alpha Channel selected.

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

Compressing Images

Tracing Bitmaps

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