Managing Image Files
From ShadeCamp
Images used in a Shade scene are listed as master images in the Browser. If an image is used in multiple locations in a scene, the file reference is shared to reduce memory consumption. Information about an image can be viewed in the Object Information window by selecting that master image in the Browser.
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Creating Master Images
Master images are created automatically by loading image files into a Shade scene from any of the following menus: •Master Image in the Create tool •Edit Image pull-down menu in the Surface window •Edit Image pull-down menu in the Background window •Edit Image pull-down menu for Backdrop in the Rendering Settings. Here we will load a backdrop image to create a master image.
1. In the Image tab of the Rendering Settings window, choose Edit Image > Load... and browse to an image of your choice.
2. You will notice that an master image has been created in the Browser with the same name as the image file you specified.
3. Select the master image and open the Object Info window.
The Object Info window shows information about the master image, including the image size, pixel depth and memory consumption. If the master image is a movie file, the playing time is shown.
Selecting Master images
Master images can be selected and used from any of the following menus: •Edit Image pull-down menu in the Surface window •Edit Image pull-down menu in the Background window •Edit Image pull-down menu for Backdrop in the Rendering Settings.
Replacing Images
Multiple instances of an master image can all be replaced with a different image by selecting the master image in the Browser and loading a new image from the Edit Image pull-down menu in the Object Info window. This makes it possible to apply an image as a surface attribute to multiple objects in the scene, and then update all of the images at once if the source image file changes.
Master List of Images
To view the master list of images (and other master objects) click and drag the bottom separator bar in the Browser upwards. Each master image is listed along with the locations it is applied. If the image is set as the background and also applied as an image texture to a curved surface, both a curved surface part and a background part will be listed under that image, as well as the layer number for each.
