Figures are image files imported and then embedded into the ARCHICAD project file. They can be inserted in any of the 2D windows (Floor Plan, Section/Elevation/IE and 3D Document window, Detail, Worksheet, Layout). Figures are placed and manipulated by the dedicated Figure tool.
For more information, see Figure Tool Settings.
A placed Figure can serve as a background image to the ARCHICAD model by using the Align View function.
See Align View.
You can also place the cropped content of an ARCHICAD window in the plan as a figure.
Note: Drawings, in contrast to Figures, are assigned ID numbers and (optionally) titles. Their frames can be cropped. Unlike Figures, Drawings represent linked files that can be updated.
For more information, see Drawings in Model Views.
Figures can be displayed either with or without handles or as simple placeholders. This setting is global, that is, it affects all placed Figures. The choice can be made using the Figure Handle toggle under View > On-Screen View Options.
Note: Regardless of the import method, the images of Figure type elements are embedded in the Project and can make the file quite large. Use sizes and resolutions only as needed to prevent overloading the Project.
When you have made your choices in Figure Settings, just click with the cursor to place the Figure. If the result does not satisfy you (for example, the image is too small or too large), open the Figure Settings dialog box again, and adjust the size, resolution or other settings before placing the Figure again.
You can also stretch the placed Figure, using the Shift key to constrain the diagonal and keep the image’s proportions. If desired, however, you can stretch the Figure’s X and Y dimensions independently.
Before you place the Figure, its ghost contour follows the movements of your cursor showing its proportional size. The ghost contour’s anchor point is sensitive to element nodes and edges. To make this option inactive, go to Options > Work Environment > On-Screen Options > Show Ghost Bounding Box of Objects, Columns, Figures and Drawings.
You can also place Figures in ARCHICAD directly, without using the Figure tool, by pasting bitmaps originating either from another ARCHICAD window (for example a PhotoRendered Model picture) or another image-processing software. The pasted element will be handled as a Figure by ARCHICAD.
Note: Images imported by this method are always pasted pixel by pixel in the current zoom.