Creating Image Prop Objects

RenderWorks allows the insertions of “prop” objects made from imported images, such as trees, people, signs, and cars, to make a model look more realistic. An image prop must be in one of the formats listed in Selecting the Image for Import.

Most image-based textures are automatically compressed when imported into VectorWorks. Imported JPEG files retain the original JPEG data; all other image files are compressed using lossless PNG format.

An image imported for use as a prop is saved as a texture resource. A library of image prop resources is provided in [VectorWorks]\Libraries\Image Props.

To add an image prop:

1.	Select Model > Create Image Prop.

2.	If a resource with an image is already present in the file, the Choose Prop Image dialog box opens.

 

Parameter	Description
Import an Image File	Imports a new image; click OK and proceed to Step 3.
Reuse an Image from Another Resource	Reuses a previously imported image; select the resource that contains the image. Click OK and proceed to Step 4.

3.	Select the desired image file in the Open (Windows) or Import QuickTime Image Document (Macintosh) dialog box. Click Open.

4.	The Image Prop Options dialog box opens. Specify the parameters for the image prop.

 

Parameter	Description
Name	Specify a name for the image prop (used for the texture and symbol name)
Dimensions	Specifies the image prop’s height and width values
Lock Aspect Ratio	Maintains the image’s aspect ratio when selected; editing one dimension automatically changes the other
Mask Options
No Mask	Specifies that no image masking is to be used for the imported image
Use Mask	Specifies that image masking is to be used; click Create Mask to specify the mask image and properties as described in Mask Transparency. When rendering with Custom RenderWorks, set the Recursion Level appropriately (see Custom RenderWorks Options). If the recursion level is set too low, transparent objects, including overlapping image props, may appear opaque. In general, set the recursion level to twice the number of overlapping objects; if there are two overlapping image props, for example, set the recursion level to four.
Crossed Planes	Creates the illusion of object fullness by creating two image planes at a 90 degree angle to each other
Constant Reflectivity	Excludes the prop from the effects of light objects placed in the drawing; this is useful for images that already contain shadowed areas
Create Plug-In Object	Creates a plug-in object out of the prop; this allows the prop to be resized and automatically rotated
Auto Rotate to Viewer	Adjusts the plug-in object so that it is always rendered facing the viewer In a radiosity rendering, auto-rotate is not possible because the model geometry within a completed radiosity solution is fixed
Create Symbol	Creates a symbol from the image prop; the image prop name is automatically assigned as the symbol name. Generating the image prop as a symbol allows the image prop to be easily re-inserted in the drawing.

Select Auto Rotate to Viewer for crossed plane images, so that the crossed planes cannot be detected.

5.	Click OK to create the image prop.

The image prop symbol parameters can be edited in the Object Info palette. In the Resource Browser, the image prop is listed as a symbol/plug-in object, if selected at creation. In addition, a texture is created for use by the image prop. Both the texture and, if created, the symbol/plug-in object, are assigned the name provided in the Image Prop Options dialog box.