Backgrounds

Toolbar: Rendering > Backgrounds ()

Menu: View > Rendering > Backgrounds

Keyboard: BACKGROUNDS

Alias: BACKGROUND

Creates a backdrop for your model when it is rendered using the Full Render command. A background is an image that surrounds those parts of your model not covered by the base or the model itself. Think of it as a curtain behind your model. By default, the background is a blue gradient, but you can choose from several built-in background images or load your own.

Background settings are saved in the drawing file.

To add a background to your rendered model

Select a background pattern from the ones displayed in the dialog box. Double-click the background in the dialog box or choose Details to customize a background.

DIALOG BOX OPTIONS

None No image, only a black background.

Constant A single color. Double-click Constant or choose Details to pick another color.

Graduated Blends two colors; one from the top and one from the bottom of the background (also known as a gradient). Double-click Graduated or choose Details to pick the top and bottom colors.

Clouds Simulates a cloudy sky in the background. Double-click Clouds or choose Details to change the size or color of the clouds and sky.

Image Loads an existing .bmp or .tif image to use as a background. Double-click Image or choose Details to find and load the image.

To customize a graduated background

Double-click Graduated or select Graduated and choose Details, then select colors for the top and bottom of the background.

DIALOG BOX OPTIONS

Top Color Specifies the color to graduate from the top of the background. Click the color box to display a palette of colors to select.

Bottom Color Specifies the color to graduate from the bottom of the background. Click the color box to display a palette of colors to select.

To customize a clouds background

Double-click Clouds or select Clouds and choose Details, then define settings for the clouds and sky.

DIALOG BOX OPTIONS

Clouds Color Specifies the color to use for the clouds in the background. Click the color box to display a palette of colors to select.

Sky Color Specifies the color to use for the sky in the background. Click the color box to display a palette of colors to select.

Detail Adjusts the relative density of the clouds in the background. Coarser clouds are more dense and solid-looking. Finer clouds are more opaque and wispy.

Size Adjusts the relative size of the clouds in the background.


TIP  Your model will render faster if you use a constant color background or do not use a background at all (None). Keep in mind, however, that backgrounds do not take long to compute when compared to other rendering effects.


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