Importing images as a starting point

grbmds · 27 Nov 2010, 17:52

Is is possible to import an image or a photo which you can then use to start a new Sketchup drawing? Thanks for any help you can give.

Gaieus · 27 Nov 2010, 18:40

Hi Randy (and welcome)

Sure it's possible! Under File > Import, select the image type that you want to import and at the bottom right, set it to "Image" import.

Now scale it roughly then use the Tape measure tool to measure a wall or anything whose REAL dimensions you know - of course it will not match but now type the desired dimensions and press Enter; your imported image will be scaled accordingly if you answer "YES" to the prompt.

Now you can start drawing.

Note that by default, SU can handle only 1024 pixel large images. If you have a good video card, under Window (PC) / SketchUp (Mac)9 > Preferences > OpenGL settings, turn on "Use max. image size" and your SU will display images up to double resolution, too. (If you have all sorts of display issues afterwards, revert back...)

pyroluna · 29 Nov 2010, 00:14

Or, if you mean to use a perspective photo, choose 'photomatch' as option when importing. Have fun!

grbmds · 2 Dec 2010, 02:27

Does the imported "picture" need to be an actual photo? Or can it merely be an image from the internet? I've tried following the direction to grab an image from a website, but don't seem to be able to make it work as intended.

mitcorb · 2 Dec 2010, 03:04

Could it be that you must convert the file type of the chosen image to something that SU can use?

Gaieus · 2 Dec 2010, 06:11

Hi Randy,

What exactly were you doing? All supported image files should come into SU regardless of their origin.

Dave R · 2 Dec 2010, 14:11

Randy, the image you import into SketchUp does not need to be a photograph but it does need to be in the form of an image file. That would include JPG, PNG, BMP, TIF, etc. The image file needs to be somewhere to which you can navigate in the File>Import box. Select the file type you are after and navigate to the location on your computer in which you saved the image. If you are using the image as an image instead of a texture or Photo Match, make sure you select Use as Image.

Here's an example of a pencil sketch I found doing a Google image search. I used the above to get it into SketchUp.

After the image is imported, you could trace what you need out of it to do your drawing work. This could be quite useful if you have sketched out something on paper by hand as a starting point for a project. Scan the sketch and save it as an image and import it. Then draw over it to start your model and delete the image when you no longer need it.

TIG · 2 Dec 2010, 14:28

If you are getting the image from a web-site save it to a folder on your PC/MAC [it needs to be named something like my_pic.jpg or another_picture.png].
Now use Sketchup's Menu > File > Import chnage the file type filter to image formats and select the file desired - OK - it should be added to the model on your cursor, place/resize it...
Use other tips to set its size more accurately for tracing over, locking etc...