Importing Images for Tracing

It is possible to import a JPG or Macromedia Shockwave Flash (SWF) files to trace. Imported images are temporary and are NOT SAVED with your plans. If you need to continue tracing later, you will need to import the image file again.  Please read this entire document before attempting to import an image file.

JPG Format
JPG format has to be non-progressive.  If you do have a progressive JPG, you can load it into a image editor and save it to the non-progressive format. 
This can also be done by:
1) Load the image into Microsoft Paint, save it as a BMP.
2) Open the BMP and save it as a JPG. 
This will strip out the progressive format information and make the file legible to Icovia.

Flash 7 Plug-in is Required

Flash 8 (the current version) has a security feature that precludes importing files altogether.  If you already have Flash 8 installed, go to the link below and use the uninstall tool, then install Flash 7.

To determine which version of Flash Player you have installed, put your cursor over the Work Area in Icovia, and right-click your mouse. The Flash Player version will be listed.

Plug-in can be found here: http://www.macromedia.com/cfusion/knowledgebase/index.cfm?id=tn_14266

Note:  If you have Flash Player 8 installed, follow the directions in the above (link) site to uninstall Flash Player 8, the install Flash Player 7 from the same site.

Note: A security feature in Firefox browser prohibits images from being uploaded. Please use another supported browser to access this feature

Dimensional References in the Image

You will also want to know a couple of dimensions within the image. Dimensions should include a full-length dimension in either direction.  These dimensions will be used in Icovia when the image is imported, to scale the image to the appropriate size.

Crop the Image Before Importing
You can use any image editor.  The steps outlined here are detailed for PC Paint.

1. Open the .jpg in PC Paint. 

2. Use the selection tool to crop the image.  Select the building as closely to the walls as possible. 

3. Use the Copy command to copy the selection to system clipboard. 

4. Open a new image.

5. Now go into Image> Attributes.  Change the canvas units to be in inches, rather than pixels.  Make the size 1/100th of the scale, for example, if your plan is 65’ x 76’ 7”, convert it to inches >  780” x 918”.  The canvas size in PC Paint should be 7.8” x 9.18.

6. Paste the content.  Make sure that the “Select” tool is active, or you won’t be able to paste.

7. Now stretch the JPG to be as big as the canvas. 

8. Save the JPG.  It is ready to import into Icovia.

Note: Don’t try to set the canvas to full scale, as this will probably overwhelm your PC for memory demands.

Importing the Image

1. In Icovia, select “Import File” from the File menu at the top of the screen.

2. From the “Select a File” panel, click on the “Browse” button to locate the JPG.

3. Once you've selected the file, click the “Select this File” button.

4. Next, click on the “Import” button from the “Import File” panel. The image should now appear in your work area.

5. Click [Fit]. 

If the image doesn’t appear when you zoom to Fit, then you probably have imported an invalid version.  Move your cursor to the center of your screen and an icon properties ghost box may appear.  If so, delete it.  Also, make sure import visibility is not turned off. 

Rescale the JPG

1. From the View menu, make sure that “Show Imports” has a check mark in front of it.

2. Select the icon.  The Icon properties panel appears on the left side of the screen. Adjust the size of the image.  In the example, our plan was 780” x 918”. 

Note: You only have to adjust one value and the other will automatically change proportionately.

3. Once sized and placed appropriately, click on blue lock symbol in corner of selected JPG to lock in place.

4. Make note of the size so it can be re-imported again at the same scale.

Tips for Tracing Plans

* Set the default wall thickness to 1” to retain visibility of the image. After placing doors, windows and openings, edit the wall to change the width.

* Lock the image once it is sized correctly.   

* Toggle the image visibility with the View > Show Imports   command, as needed.

* Lock plan components that are to remain as-is.

* Save frequently.

* Use the Clone command when multiple instances of a customized icon is needed.

* Use generic shape icons (Structural Icon Set) to emulate icons that are not available.  Change the label of these shapes to reflect what they are intended to represent.

* Use the wall icon (rather than the wall tool) to draw wide walls, to avoid the rounded end walls drawn by the wall tool.

Comments

[Steve]

Hi Jen,
The wall icon can be found by setting the icon category to "structural" and the sub-category to "miscellaneous."

[Jenn]

Where is the wall icon? After looking through all of the icon sheets, I've still yet to find it...