Importing images
|
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 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.
The ability to import some file formats depends on your operating system; files that aren't supported by the current operating system are grayed, and can't be selected for import.
|
Import formats |
Mac |
Windows |
|
BMP |
X |
X |
|
ECW |
X |
X |
|
GIF |
X |
X |
|
ICNS |
X |
|
|
ICO |
X |
X |
|
JPEG |
X |
X |
|
JPEG2000 |
X |
X |
|
OpenEXR |
X |
|
|
PBM |
X |
|
|
PNG |
X |
X |
|
Photoshop (.psd) |
X |
|
|
Radiance HDR |
X |
|
|
SGI |
X |
|
|
TGA |
X |
|
|
TIFF |
X |
X |
|
WMPhoto |
X |
To import an image file:
Select the command, and then select the image file to import.
Alternatively, with a Design Suite product, drag and drop one or more image files into an open Vectorworks file.
The Image Import Options dialog box opens. When you drag and drop multiple image files at the same time, the Image Import Options dialog box opens only once, and the same settings are applied to all the images.
Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.
|
Parameter |
Description |
|
Import as |
Select the import method. Bitmap imports the image file as a bitmap on the active layer of the drawing. Image resource imports the image file as an image resource in the Resource Manager. Bitmap and Image Resource imports the image file as both a bitmap and an image resource. The bitmap and image resource are not associated with each other. |
|
Image Information |
Displays the file name and type, compression, dimensions, and uncompressed size. If needed, click Edit Attributes or Image Effects to adjust the settings for the image; see Image attributes and Image effects. When multiple images are dragged and dropped into the file at once, <multiple images> displays, and this section is unavailable for editing. Settings for individual images can be edited after import; see Defining and editing image resources. |
|
Compression Method |
Select the compression method. 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. 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 If the selected option results in a file size larger than the uncompressed size, the image is imported uncompressed. |
|
Import as black and white |
For PNG only, imports 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, preserves the image's transparency options; on Windows, the Use GDI+ imaging Vectorworks preference must be enabled |
|
Georeferencing (Design Suite product required) |
If the image is georeferenced, specify the georeferencing options; see Importing georeferenced images. |
|
Reference (Design Suite product required) |
Select if the original image may change and you want to keep the imported image up to date, and set the referencing options; see Concept: Workgroups and referencing for more information. 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. If you're using server-based project sharing, and the master file is not on the same volume as the Project Sharing Server, you'll be prompted to upload the file to the server's project folder. |
|
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 out of date reference during file open |
Updates the image from the master file each time this file is opened, if the image is out of date |
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 Utility menu.
