Import an image as an image layer

If you are using the Windows browser, you can import the image as a layer directly from the Canvas Layer Editor by choosing Layer > New image layer (import) in the editor’s menu.

If you are using the Alias browser, choose File > Import > Canvas Image .

TipThe type of browser can be changed by choosing Preferences > General Preferences

and going to the System section.

You may want to import an image file to use as a reference or basis for a sketch. You can either import an image as a new canvas plane or import an image as an image layer into an existing canvas plane.

You can also drag an image from Windows Explorer or PortfolioWall and drop it into Alias to import it as an image layer.

If you import an image file that contains transparency or opacity information (that is, an alpha channel), the transparency information is also imported.

To import an image file as a layer using the Windows browser

Choose Windows > Editors > Canvas Layer Editor.
Do one of the following:
- If you want the layer to be created on a new canvas, click the view in which you want the new canvas to be created.
- If you want the layer to be created on an existing canvas, select the canvas by using the icon next to the canvas name in the Construction Plane Editor or select it from the lister in the Canvas Layer Editor. The former takes priority.
In the Canvas Layer Editor, choose Layer > New Image Layer (import).
The Image Import browser opens.
In the browser, choose an image to import.
The image is shown in the Preview window.
In the browser, set Layer Type to Image.
The content of the Preview updates.
If you want to import the image into a new canvas, turn on Always create New Canvas. Otherwise, make sure that it is turned off.
Click on the Select button.
If Always create New Canvas was on, a new canvas plane is created and the image is loaded onto it as an image layer (filling the entire canvas plane). The size of the canvas plane is based on the size of the current view window.

Otherwise, the image is imported as a new image layer and centered on the canvas plane.

The new layer becomes the active layer.

To import an image file as a layer, using the Alias browser

Do one of the following:
- If you want the layer to be created on a new canvas, click the view in which you want the new canvas to be created.
- If you want the layer to be created on an existing canvas, select the canvas by using the icon next to the canvas name in the Construction Plane Editor or select it from the lister in the Canvas Layer Editor. The former takes priority.
Choose File > Import > Canvas Image ❒ to open the option box.
Set Layer Type to Image.
If you want to import the image into a new canvas, turn on Always create New Canvas. Otherwise, make sure that it is turned off.
Click Go.
The File Browser opens
Use the File Browser to select the image file you want to load and click Import Image.
If Always create New Canvas was on, a new canvas plane is created and the image is loaded onto it as an image layer (filling the entire canvas plane). The size of the canvas plane is based on the size of the current view window.

Otherwise, the image is imported as a new image layer and centered on the canvas plane.

The new layer becomes the active layer.

To import images from Windows Explorer or PortfolioWall as image layers

Click the Alias view you want to load image files onto.
Drag the images from Windows Explorer or PortfolioWall and drop them into Alias.
The images are imported as new image layers on the canvas plane in the active view.

NoteIf there is no canvas plane in the active view, a new canvas plane is automatically created.

NoteIf there is no active view, the images are not imported.