Importing bitmap artwork

Use the Import Image button to import an image saved in one of the following file formats as a new bitmap layer:

• ArtCAM Model (.art);
• ArtCAM Relief (.rlf);
• Windows or OS/2 Bitmap (.bmp);
• Windows or OS/2 DIB (.dib);
• Windows or CompuServe RLE (.rle);
• JPEG Image - JFIF Compliant (.jpg, .jpeg, .jpe and .jfif);
• CompuServe Graphics Interchange (.gif);
• Windows Meta File (.wmf);
• Windows Enhanced Meta File (.emf);
• Tagged Image File Format (.tifand .tiff);
• Portable Network Graphics (.png); or
• Windows Icon (.ico).

To import an image file as a new bitmap layer:

1. In the Project Tree, select the Bitmaps item. The Bitmap Layers panel is displayed below the splitter bar.
2. On the panel, click . This displays the Load Bitmap Layer dialog.
3. Navigate to the file you want to import.
4. Select the file. Its name is displayed in the File name box.

   In the Model Preview area, you can see a preview of the selected file. In the Relief Info area, a greyscale representation of the selected file is displayed, along with its dimensions in pixels.

   Tip: The greyscale representation in the Relief Info area provides an indication of the form a resulting relief layer might take. The brightest areas of the greyscale image are the highest areas in the resulting relief layer, while the darkest areas are the lowest.
5. Select an option from the Scaling list to scale the image.
   • None — Select this option to leave the image unscaled.
   • Fit — Select this option to maintain the aspect ratio of the image. If the image is equal to, or larger than, the model area, the image fills it without being cropped. If the image is smaller than the model area, ArtCAM adds borders around the image to compensate. The border uses the colour found in the top-left pixel of the image.
   • Fill — Select this option to crop areas of the image outside of the model area. The selected image fills the model area and its original aspect ratio is maintained.
   • Stretch — Select this option to fit the image to the model area. The image is resized to fill the model area; its original aspect ratio is not retained.
6. Click Open to import the image into the model as a new bitmap layer.

   The new bitmap layer is created directly above the previously active layer in the stack, and uses the name of the file from which it was created.

   A unique colour palette comprising the colours within the imported artwork is also created. When the bitmap layer is active, its associated colour palette is displayed below the view.