This section covers all the ways you can bring images into DesignCAD, and how you can trace images within DesignCAD.

Load Image File

Menu: File / Image / Load Image File

Adds a graphic image from another file to your drawing. If you only set a single point, the image will use that point as the lower left corner and be retrieved at full scale. If you set two points,the image will be scaled to fill a rectangle with those two points as opposite corners. The image is never rotated in 3D space; it always appears “flat” relative to the screen, regardless of your viewing angles.

Point 1: Lower left corner for image placement

Point 2: Upper right corner for image placement

Choose the type of file to be added to the drawing from the drop-down list in the Files of Type box. In the Look In box enter the location of the image. In the File Name box enter the name of the file to load or select the file from the area below the Look In box.

This command is very useful in adding illustrations to your drawings. For example, it’s possible to add a scanned photograph to be displayed along with your drawing.

NOTE: Once an image is imported, you can edit its placement and size using the Info Box.

Save Image File

Menu: File / Image / Save Image File

Saves a screen image (or part of one) as a graphics file. The saved file can be used with other applications such as word processors and desktop publishing systems. This is a convenient way to transfer a shaded image to other applications.

Point 1: First corner of rectangular region to save

Point 2: Opposite corner of rectangular region to save

An X-shaped cursor appears in the drawing window. To select a portion of the window to save in a common graphic format, set a point in two opposite corners of the region to be saved. To save the entire window as a graphics file, press Enter without setting any points. The Save Image window appears.

Save Image As: Lets you save the image in the current display mode, wireframe, quick shading, smooth shading, or hidden line removal.

Image Size: Set the width and height of the image in pixels.

Same as Current Display: Resets the values for the width and height of the image to be saved.

OK: Saves the changes you have made and opens the Save Image File window. Enter the name and location for the new graphic file and click OK to save it.

Cancel: Disregards the changes you have made and returns you to your drawing.

Scan Image

Menu: File / Image / Scan Image

Takes an image from a TWAIN compatible scanner that has been specified with the Select Scanner Source command. A TWAIN scanner allows you to run the scanner directly from within DesignCAD. The image can later be converted into a vector image with the Auto Trace Bitmap command. This allows scanned artwork to be used in a DesignCAD drawing.

Place the image in the scanner. Make sure that the scanner has been specified with the Select Scanner Source command. Select the Scan Image command.

NOTE: Scanners vary in their capabilities and features, and this is reflected in the window that appears when the Scan Image command is used. Depending on the scanner’s features, it may be possible to adjust the im- age’s orientation, the direction of the scan, the resolution, etc. Refer to the scanner’s software documentation or on-line Help for more information.

Use the scanner’s own software to scan the image.The image is scanned and imported into DesignCAD. Use the Auto Trace Bitmap command to trace the bitmap as a series of vectors.If you are using a scanner that is not TWAIN compatible, you can still use scanned images in DesignCAD, but it takes more steps to process the image. Switch to the scanner software or driver to execute the scan, then return to DesignCAD. Once the image has been scanned as a bitmap, use the Load Image File command. After loading the image, use the Auto Trace Bitmap command to trace the bitmap as a series of vectors.

Select Scanner Source

Menu: File / Image / Select Scanner Source

Selects the scanner for use with the Scan Image Command.