Exporting an Image File

The Export Image File command exports a rendered drawing to a variety of file formats, including GIF, JPG, TIF, BMP, WMPhoto, and others. Different portions of the image can be selected for export.

The list of image formats is populated depending upon the operating system and installed drivers.

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

To export an image file:

1. Select File > Export > Export Image File.

The Export Image File dialog box opens.

2. Select the export options, and then click Render or Wireframe to display the exported image preview.

Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter	Description
Export Area
All Visible Objects	Exports an image that includes all visible objects (objects do not have to be currently on screen to be considered visible)
Current View	Exports an image that is exactly as it displays on the current screen
All Pages as Single Image	Saves all pages in the print area as one image. By default, the image dimensions are set to match the print area specifications in the Page Setup dialog box. The image dimensions can be changed, but must remain proportional to the print area aspect ratio.
Each Page as Separate Image	Saves each page in the print area as separate images. By default, the image dimensions are set to match the page size specifications in the Page Setup dialog box. The image dimensions can be changed, but must remain proportional to the page size aspect ratio.
Marquee	Exports an image within a user-created marquee. Select this option and then click Draw Marquee to temporarily close the dialog box. Click and drag to specify the area for export; the marquee dimensions are displayed on the Data bar. Click to set the export area and return to the Export Image File dialog box. The Pixel Dimensions of the image are automatically set to the marquee dimensions.
Dimensions
Lock Aspect Ratio	Select to maintain the image aspect ratio when specifying dimensions
Resolution	Specifies the printed image resolution in pixels over inches
Pixel Dimensions
Width/Height	Specifies the exported image dimensions; if Lock Aspect Ratio is selected, changes to one dimension will update the other to maintain the aspect ratio
Print Size
Width/Height	Specifies the printed image dimensions in the selected Unit; if Lock Aspect Ratio is selected, changes to one dimension will update the other to maintain the aspect ratio
Units	Select a unit to apply to the Print Size parameters
Preview	Displays a rendered or wireframe preview according to the current settings
Render	Updates the preview with a rendered view using the currently set rendering option
Wireframe	Updates the preview with a wireframe view
Memory Required/Estimated File Size	Estimates the amount of memory required for the export and the approximate file size of the exported file, based on the current settings
Update	Updates the estimated memory and file size requirements
Format
File Type	Select the file format for the exported image
Color	Specify whether to export the image in Full color, Grayscale, or Black and white
Quality	For file formats that observe a quality setting, drag the Opacity slider to the left to decrease the image quality or to the right to increase quality
Update visible out of date viewports prior to exporting	Automatically updates any visible, out-of-date viewports before exporting
Reset all plug-in objects that require a reset prior to exporting	Automatically resets plug-in objects that require an update (such as data stamps) before exporting
Export Georeferencing File (Vectorworks Architect or Landmark required)	Available only if the current design layer is georeferenced. Along with the image file, exports a worldfile that describes the exported image’s location, scale, and rotation in the geographic coordinate system. If multiple georeferenced layers are visible, the worldfile will be written according to the topmost layer. See GIS and Georeferencing for more information.

3. Click Save.

In the dialog box which opens, provide a name for the file; the program adds the file extension according to the file format selected. If the Each Page as a Separate Image is selected for export, the program automatically appends an incremental number to each file name.

4. Click Save.

A new file is created without changing the original drawing file. This new file can then be opened in other applications or imported into another software program.

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