Import an image into your design background, including plot plans, house outlines, or easements.
Background Image
Using the Background Image feature, you may trace existing structures and shapes from a plot plan of your project. You may use printouts, sketches, blueprints, or any other graphic file as a background image. The image may be in the pdf., .bmp, .jpg, .png, .tga, or .tif graphic files formats.
Insert Image: To insert a background image, go to Stage 1: Project Information, click Insert Background Image, and select the graphic file from your computer.
2D Viewport
Your background image will now appear in the 2D viewport. At this point, there are a few additional background options that will assist you in bringing out the full potential of your drawing.
All of these options are available at the bottom of the Panel under the Background Tab next to the Guides and Align Tabs.
Visible, Invert Colors, Remove or Adjust Image
Display Image (Visible): Left-clicking this option allows you to display or hide the image. While you are working, you may wish to hide the image to see what you have traced. You may quickly hide or reveal the image by pressing Ctrl-B. If you wish to delete the image, use Remove Image.
Remove Image (Trash Can): Once you load an image, it becomes attached to your project and is saved with your file. This can cause the size of your file to become very large. Once you are done with the background image, you may remove it with this option. Please Note: Do not remove your image until you are done working with it. It will be very difficult to properly place and scale your image again once removed.
Invert Colors: Left-clicking this option will invert the colors of your image. This can be useful if your image has a white background, making the tracing process somewhat difficult. Choosing this option will change your white colors to black colors, making it much easier to see the lines you are drawing. If you are having trouble seeing the lines over your background image, try the Invert Color option.
Opacity: This slider allows you to adjust the transparency of the background image. This can be useful when you also have a GIS image loaded and need to trace a plot plan.
Adjust Image: This option allows you to adjust the image on the grid. Holding down the left mouse button and dragging in the center will move it. Adjust image will bring up corners that allow you to scale the image and midpoint arrows that allow you to rotate it. Your mouse cursor will change when you use the points. The image will move and rotate based on your snaps and constraints.
Scale Image
Scale Image: This option allows you to scale your image properly in Vip3D. Once you click on Scale Image there will be a ruler on your mouse cursor.
Now draw a known distance in your image. This can be any distance that you know, such as the length of the side of the house or a length of the property line.
Once you have drawn the distance, a box will pop up asking you to type in the length. Once Vip3D knows how long that segment is, it will automatically scale the entire image. You can verify that the image has been properly scaled by measuring the known length with the measure guide.
NOTE: You must use Scale Image before you trace anything. If you do not scale your image first, everything you trace will be in the wrong scale.
Background Images in Construction
Background Images you have inserted will also appear in the Construction Stage. This is especially useful when a survey or plot plan must appear on a construction plan to meet permit requirements. All of the other features work exactly the same as in the design stages.
Please see the Construction Page Layout Stage for more information.