Changing the Backdrop in a Camera View

Reference Number: KB-00325
Last Modified: May 24, 2022

The information in this article applies to:

Home Designer Professional or Home Designer Architectural or Home Designer Suite



QUESTION

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

Example of a changed backdrop in a physically based rendering


ANSWER

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


To modify the backdrop

  1. Select Edit> Default Settings  to open the Default Settings dialog.


  2. Expand the Camera Tools category, select the camera tool you'd like to modify the backdrop of, then click Edit.


  3. In the next dialog that appears, click on the 3D Backdrop or Backdrop panel.

    Setting the default backdrop for the full camera views

    • Click on the Select Backdrop button to choose a different backdrop from the Library or a custom backdrop that has been imported.

    • Select the Remove Backdrop button to remove the backdrop image and replace it with the Background Color that is specified.

    • Check the Use Generated Sky box to simulate a daytime sky backdrop.

    • Click OK and Done to confirm the changes and close the dialogs.

    Note: In Home Designer Pro, a spherical backdrop can also be specified, which allows you to wrap an image onto a sphere that surrounds the model.

    Starting in Home Designer Pro 2023, additional spherical backdrop controls were added, including the ability to tile the image, adjust the span, height, and eye level.

Now, when a new 3D or elevation view is created, you will see the changes that have been made to the backdrop settings.

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 to simulate a more realistic rendering of your model and its surrounding view.


To import a backdrop

  1. Select File> Import> Import Backdrop  , browse for and select the image you'd like to import, then click Open.  


  2. In the Backdrop Specification dialog that displays next, specify a Name, then click OK to import the image into your User Catalog.


  3. This imported backdrop image can now selected and applied using the Select Backdrop button mentioned in the section above. 
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