Customizing Graphics

Building the Model: Advanced Elements > Modeling Tips > Customizing Graphics

Customizing Graphics

Background graphics can enhance the look of your models and provide valuable visual information to convey meaning and lend credibility to your models. For example, if a layout is created in a graphics program, it may be desirable to import the entire layout rather than create it in ProModel. This is done by saving the file in a graphics program, such as AutoCAD, as a WMF, EMF, BMP, PCX, or GIF file and importing the graphic into ProModel. This can save you an extensive amount of time.

How to Import a background graphic:

In a graphics application, save the graphic in one of the following formats, WMF, EMF, BMP, PCX, or GIF.
Select Background Graphics from the Build menu.
Select Front of Grid or Behind Grid.
Select Import Graphic from the Edit Menu.
Enter the name of the graphic you would like to import or browse to the directory where the graphic is located.
Select OK to close the import graphic dialog box. The graphic will then appear in the layout window. The upper left corner of the imported graphic will align with the upper left corner of the layout window.

Front of Grid When the grid is on, the grid lines will not cover or obstruct the imported graphic.

Behind Grid The imported graphic will be behind the grid lines when the grid is on.

You may paste any *.BMP or *.WMF image copied to the Windows clipboard on the Layout by choosing Paste BMP or Paste WMF from the Edit menu.

Once you select Import Graphic from the Edit menu and select the desired file and type, ProModel imports the image into the layout. Once this procedure is complete, you may select or activate the graphic by clicking with the left mouse button on the graphic. You may then drag the mouse to move the graphic to the desired position on the layout. You may stretch or compress the graphic to the size you desire using any of its four sizing handles.

ProModel allows you to import *.BMP, *.WMF, *.GIF, and *.PCX file types. BMPs and WMFs can also be copied to the clipboard from other applications and pasted directly into the background. To import a CAD drawing, you must save it to one of the file formats described above.