Help Database

In Chief Architect, photographs, pictures, paintings, and signs can be created using custom materials.  These materials are specified as Stretch to Fit so they do not tile repeatedly, and can be saved in the Library Browser for future use in any plan. 

The exact procedure for doing this varies depending on the version of the program being used.

To add a picture to the Materials library

1. Select Library> Library Browser from the menu to open the Library Browser window.
   
   
   
2. Navigate to the User Catalog folder.
   
   In Chief Architect X3, scroll to the My Libraries folder.
   
   In Chief Architect X2, scroll to the User Libraries folder.
   
   In Chief Architect X1, and prior, scroll to the Materials library and click the  beside it to display its categories.
   
   
   
3. Right-click once on User Catalog and select New> Material... from the menu that displays.
   
   
   
   In Chief Architect X3, right-click once on the My Library folder and select New> Material from the contextual menu that displays.
   
   In Chief Architect X2, right-click once on the User Libraries folder and select New> Material from the menu that displays.
   
   In Chief Architect X1, and prior, right-click once on the ~My Materials library and select New> Material from the menu that displays.
   
   
   
4. On the Texture tab of the Define Material dialog, click the Browse... button.
   
   
   
5. In the Select Texture File dialog, browse your computer to the image file that you would like to add to the library and click on it to select it, then click the Open button to close the dialog and return to the Define Material dialog.
   
   
   
6. In the Define Material dialog:
   
   
   
   
   
   • Type a Material Name for your new material.
     
     
   • Check the box beside Stretch to Fit on the Texture tab.
     
     
   • Make any other desired changes.
     
     
     
7. Click OK to close the dialog and add your new material to the library.
   
   
   

To display the material in a frame

1. Browse to Chief Architect Core Catalogs> Interiors> Accessories> Mirrors & Frames in the Library Browser.
   
   
   
2. Choose either a desk frame or a wall frame that suits your needs to select it, then move your cursor into the drawing area. The cursor will display the Furnishings (Interior) icon.
   
   
   
3. Click once to place the frame at that location in your plan.
   
   
   
   
   
   • 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.
     
     
     
4. Click on the frame to select it, then click the Open Object edit button.
   
   
   
5. On the Materials tab of the Furniture Specification dialog, click on the word Picture, then click the Library Materials button.
   
   
   
6. In the Select Library Object dialog, browse to the User Catalogs folder, click on your new material, then click OK to close the dialog.
   
   
   
7. Click OK to close the Furniture Specification dialog.
   
   
   
8. Select 3D> Create Perspective View> Full Camera from the menu to see the results.