Adding a Custom Picture or Painting

The information in this article applies to:

QUESTION

I would like to use an actual photograph or an image of a painting in my plans. How can I accomplish this task in Home Designer?

ANSWER

Placing a picture using the Home Designer products is an easy process. It first involves importing the picture, adding it to the Library as a material, and then placing it in your design by applying it to an object. Some of the most common uses for importing your images, such as photographs, would be to place them in a picture frame, apply them to a television or computer screen, or to bring in a custom material for walls, floors, ceilings, or other items in your plan like library objects.

To add a custom picture

1. Launch your Home Designer program and choose to Open  the plan in which you want to use your custom picture.  
   
   
   
2. Once the plan is open, select View> Library Browser  to display the Library Browser window.  
   
   
   
3. Right-click on the User Catalog option and select New> Material. 
   
   
   
   
   
4. In the Define Material dialog that opens:
   
   
   
   
   • Give your material a Name.
     
     
   • Select the Texture radio button, and then click on the Select button to browse for the picture you'd like to use.
     
     In Home Designer Architectural and Home Designer Pro, access the Texture panel, then click the Browse button next to the Texture Source File instead.
     
     

     If you later move, or delete the picture file that you're referencing for this custom material, you may receive a warning message in the file, and the image may no longer be displayed in your plan.
     

     
     
   • Once the picture has been selected, select the Stretch to Fit box. This will stretch the picture to fit the frame it will be used in, and not tile the same image across the surface per the X and Y scale parameters.
     
     
   • Make any other additional modifications including changing the brightness, shininess, and other photo related properties.
     
     
   • Click OK to apply these changes.
   
   

The new material will now be added to the Library Browser and is ready to be applied to a picture frame. 

To display the material in a frame

1. Browse to Home Designer Core Catalogs> Interiors> Accessories> Mirrors & Frames within the Library Browser, then select either a desk frame or a wall frame that suits your needs.
   
   In this example, the Rectangular 2 frame is selected.
   
   
   
   
   
2. Your cursor will now display the Furnishings (Interior) icon. Click once to place the frame in your preferred location.  
   
   
   • Place a desk frame on a desk or table and its height will automatically adjust so that it sits on top of the furniture.  
     
     
   • Place a wall frame against a wall and it will snap to the wall surface. 
     
   
   
   
3. Click on the frame to select it, then click the Open Object  edit button.  
   
   
   
4. In the Furniture Specification dialog that opens: 
   
   
   • On the Materials panel, click on the word Photo or Image depending on the object you choose, then click on the Select Material button.  
     
     
   • In the Select Material dialog, browse to the User Catalog, click on your new custom picture to select it, then click OK.
     
     

     Follow this same procedure if you're adding a painting or applying a picture to a computer or TV screen.

     
     
     
     
   • Click OK again to close the Specification dialog and apply the change.
   
   
   
5. Create a Camera  view to see the results.