====== Image drape ======
If you are editing or designing a map, it may be useful to use the image drape function. This function will overlay an image, semi-transparently, over the main map display. To access this option, select the '//View->Image drape...//' menu option. This will open the //Image drape settings// window, shown below:
| {{l3dt:userguide:dialogs:overlay.png}} | {{l3dt:userguide:dialogs:overlay2.png}} |
^ Loading a drape image from a file ^ Using a project map as a drape ^
If you would like to overlay a map in the project (e.g. heightfield, texture, etc.), then enable the //Use project map// check-box, and select the desired map. If instead you wish to overlay an image from a file, select the //Load from file// check-box and enter the image filename, or use the browse button ('...'). Allowed image formats include .bmp, .jpg/.jpeg and .png.
===== Transparency effects =====
==== Drape transparency ====
The // drape transparency// value determined how 'see through' the the drape overlay will be. The allowed values range from 0 (fully opaque) to 1 (fully transparent).
PNG transparency is not currently supported, but should be in future releases.
==== Drape transparent colour ====
You can nominate one RGB colour in the drape image to be transparent using the //Drape transparent colour// option. If this option is enabled, wherever the drape image has this colour it will be fully transparent, and show the map beneath it.
==== Map transparent colour ====
You can also nominate one RGB colour in the map to be transparent using the //Map transparent colour// option. If this option is enabled, wherever the map has this colour it will be fully obscured by the drape overlay.
===== Removing the overlay =====
To remove the overlay, click on the //Clear overlay// button in the //Image drape settings// window.
===== Example =====
One application of the image drape feature is to help users design maps from topographical images or rough sketches, such as this:
| {{ l3dt:userguide:view:overlay:overlay1.png }} |
(Note that the overlay image can be in colour, if you like.)
When loaded into L3DT using the default settings,
and applied over a blank design map, the above image overlay looks like this:
| {{ l3dt:userguide:view:overlay:overlay2.png }} |
Now you can start painting using the [[l3dt:userguide:tools:dm_brush|design map brush]]. For further
discussion on painting design maps, please refer to the
[[bundywiki>tutorials:l3dt:fjord|designing a fjord]] tutorial.
===== Notes and warnings =====
The image overlay is an application-level setting, so it will be persistent for all maps you have loaded, and any new ones you create.
Users are advised to avoid using image drapes that are larger than 1024x1024 pixels, as this will adversely affect the responsiveness of the user interface.