Importing Image Files

Importing an Image File

Command

Path

Import Image File

File > Import

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.

Import Formats

Mac

Windows

BMP

X

X

ECW

X

X

GIF

X

X

ICNS

X

 

ICO

X

X

JPEG

X

X

JPEG2000

X

X

MacPaint

X

 

OpenEXR

X

 

PBM

X

 

PNG

X

X

Photoshop (.psd)

X

 

Radiance HDR

X

 

SGI

X

 

TGA

X

 

TIFF

X

X

WMPhoto

 

X

XBitmap

X

 

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

To import an image file:

  1. Select the command, and then select the image file to import.

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

    The Image Import Options dialog box opens.

  3. From the Import as list, select how the image file will be imported.

  4. Image Information displays the file name and type, compression, dimensions, and uncompressed size. Click Edit Attributes to adjust the attributes of the imported image if needed.

  5. 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 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.

    The image attribute changes take effect.

  6. Click Image Effects to open the Image Effects dialog box. Select from a variety of Image Effects to apply to the imported image and click OK.

  7. 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.

  8. 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

  9. 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.

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.

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:

        Right-click the referenced image in the drawing area, and then select Open

        Right-click 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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Importing Manual Sketches

Cropping Imported Images

Compressing Images

Tracing Bitmaps

 

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