Chief Architect Help Database - Article Number: 791
How to Use the Screen Capture tool to Create a Backdrop, Image, Material or Picture
The information in this article applies to:- Chief Architect X5
- Chief Architect X4
- Chief Architect X3
- Chief Architect X2
- Chief Architect X1
What does the Screen Capture tool do and how do I use it?
The Screen Capture tool allows you to add backdrops, images, or materials directly to the library or to create picture objects. You can capture screens from within Chief Architect, from a web page, or in other programs.
To create a screen capture
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Select Tools> Screen Capture> Screen Capture Setup
. The Screen Capture Setup dialog appears.
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Click the button next to the Screen Capture Creation Type that you want to do.
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Backdrop adds the capture to the My Backdrops folder of the library.
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Image adds the capture to the My Images library.
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Material places the capture in the My Materials library category.
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Picture creates a picture object that appears on screen immediately.
Note: The settings in the Screen Capture Setup dialog are retained and will be used whenever you use the Screen Capture tool - until you change them.
-
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Click the Capture button when you are ready to proceed.
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Navigate to the view you want to capture in Chief Architect, another program, or on a web site using your Internet browser.
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Activate the screen capture with a right mouse click.
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Left-click at the first corner of the capture, then move diagonally to select the second corner. A marquee indicates the selected area as you move the mouse.
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To create another screen capture of the same type, select Tools> Screen Capture> Screen Capture
from the menu, then repeat steps 4 through 6, above.
To use a captured backdrop
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Select 3D> 3D Settings
from the menu to open the 3D Settings dialog.
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On the Backdrop tab, click the Select Backdrop button. The Select Library Object dialog opens to the Backdrops category.
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Expand the section My Backdrops and select the backdrop you captured.
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Click OK. The backdrop appears behind any render camera views you take.
To use a captured image
- Select Library> Library Browser
from the menu to open the Library Browser.
- Browse to User Catalog.
- In Chief Architect X3, browse to My Library.
- In Chief Architect X2, browse to the Import category.
- In Chief Architect X1, browse to Images> My Images.
- Right click on the imported image and select Rename to give it a descriptive name.
- You can choose to leave the captured material in the User Catalog folder, or you can create a subcategory, or tree of folders and place it into the appropriate folder to allow for easy access in future plans.
- Once you have the plan named and placed where you want in the Library Browser, you can select the image that you captured and click in the plan to place it.
Screen captures saved as materials are saved in the User Catalog library folder and can be applied to an object either in its specification dialog or using the Material Painter.
To specify a captured material
- Select an object that you want to apply the captured material to and click the Open Object
edit button.
- On the Materials tab of the object's specification dialog, click on the name of the object part that you want to apply the material to in the list on the left side.
- Click the Library Material button. The Select Library Object dialog opens to the Materials category. Choose the material you want to use.
- Click OK to close the specification dialog and apply your change.
The names of backdrops, images, materials as well as symbols saved in unlocked libraries can be selected and renamed.
To change the name of a library object
- Select Library> Library Browser
- Browse to the object you wish to rename, right-click on its name and select Rename from the menu.
- Alternatively, you can click on the object to select it and press F2 on your keyboard.
- Alternatively, you can click on the object to select it and press F2 on your keyboard.
- Type in the new name.
Library names can have up to 63 characters and are case sensitive.
Article 793: How to use the Material Painter modes
Article 765: How to create a new material
Article 643: How do I specify a spherical backdrop for my 3d views
Last updated on: Mar 29, 2013
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