Click
to show/hide the parameters.Import images into Vectorworks to create any type of texture shader. Multiple image shaders can be combined to create a realistic texture. For example, import an asphalt image, and then add an image bump to the asphalt. Image-based shaders can also be combined with non image-based shader types for a variety of effects.
Vectorworks supports the following image formats: BMP, JPG, PCT, PNG, PNT, PSD, QTI, SGI, TIF, TGA. Most image-based textures are automatically compressed when imported. Imported JPG files retain the original JPG data; all other image files are compressed using lossless PNG format. An image-based shader is applied to the surface of an object, similar to a wrapped shader.
To import an image for use as an image-based shader:
1. Create a new texture as described in Creating a new texture. From any of the four shader component lists, select the Image shader type.
The Bricks and Grass shader options include their own image selection functionality; see Color shader parameters.
2.The Choose Image dialog box opens; select the image to use. You can import a new image or reuse an image from an existing resource.
3.The next dialog box that opens depends on the type of shader, as described in the following sections.
Color shaders can use images for image color and as a filtered image. The image color shader can display the image as-is, or can tint the image with a specified color.
From the Edit Image Color dialog box, specify the shader properties.
Click
to show/hide the parameters.
From the Edit Image Reflectivity dialog box, specify the shader properties.
Click
to show/hide the parameters.
From the Edit Image Transparency dialog box, specify the shader properties.
Click
to show/hide the parameters.
See Transparency shader parameters for more details.
1. From the Create Mask dialog box, select the source for the mask.
● Grayscale Pixels: darker pixels will be more transparent
● Transparent Color: the color you select will be transparent
● Alpha Channel: if available, the alpha channel transparency will be used
2.If Transparent Color is selected, the Create Transparent Color Mask dialog box opens.
The source image must be more than eight-bit color to create a transparent color mask. Images with a monochrome background are easiest to use when creating a mask transparency.
Click
to show/hide the parameters.
3.From the Edit Image Mask dialog box, specify the shader properties.
Click
to show/hide the parameters.
From the Edit Image Bump dialog box, specify the shader properties.
Click
to show/hide the parameters.
When you use the monochromatic textures provided with Vectorworks, the Bump Strength parameter may require careful adjustment depending on the viewing distance from the model.
Due to compression artifacts, JPG images generally do not work well as bump images. PNG and TIF compression works well for bump images; when importing images, select PNG rather than JPG as the compression method.
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