The information in this article applies to:

QUESTION

How can I change the background that displays in my 3D camera views?

ANSWER

Home Designer offers several options for the background used in 3D views: an image included in the program's library, a solid color, an image file from an outside source.

To specify a different image from the Library as the backdrop

1. From the menu, select 3D> 3D Backdrop .
   
   In Home Designer Pro, select 3D> 3D View Defaults , then click on the Backdrop panel .
   
   
   
2. In the Backdrop dialog, click on Select Backdrop to launch the Select Library Object dialog, where you can choose from a selection of backdrops.
   
   
   
3. Click to highlight an appropriate backdrop that you would like to use in your plan, then click OK.
   
   
   
4. Click OK once more to exit out of the dialog and apply the change, so your newly chosen backdrop from the Library Browser will be used in 3D Camera views in your plan.
   
   
   

To specify a solid color 3D backdrop

1. From the menu, select 3D> 3D Backdrop .
   
   In Home Designer Pro, select 3D> 3D View Defaults , then click on the Backdrop panel.
   
   
   
2. Next, click on the Remove Backdrop button.
   
   
   
3. Click the Background Color bar to display the Color Chooser dialog, where you can select the Background Color that displays when a backdrop image is not being used.
   
   
   • Select the desired color from the Basic Colors already available or create a Custom Color using the color palette and slider on the right. 
     
     
   • When you are happy with the background color, click the OK button.
   
   
   
4. Again, click the OK button to close the Backdrop dialog. The solid color that you selected will now be used as a background for new 3D views.
    

If you have a photograph of the construction area your building will be built on, you may want to import the image and use it as a  background,  or backdrop, when creating 3D views in Home Designer to create a more realistic rendering of your model and its surrounding view.

To import a backdrop

1. From the menu, select File> Import> Backdrop  and browse to the image on your computer. Select the image and click Open to add it to the Library Browser as a New Backdrop.  
   
   
   
2. Next, select 3D> 3D Backdrop to open the 3D Backdrop dialog.
   
   In Home Designer Pro, select 3D> 3D View Defaults , then click on the Backdrop panel.
   
   
   
3. Click on the Select Backdrop button to display the Select Library Object dialog, then navigate to the backdrop that you imported and select it, and click OK to apply and close the 3D Backdrop dialog.  
   
   
   
4. Take a 3D full Camera  view of your design to see your backdrop.