Hi Garystan,
As you can see there are many options - I have yet another:
PhotoboardsImport the image directly as a Photoboard (File/ Import/ Photoboard Wizard). This does not require inserting into anything, it just becomes a freestanding image you can move into position behind your model and resize, elevate etc. It has the advantage that you can position the exact scene behind your model, but, as with Doug's idea of putting the image into a mirror, you will have to be careful that the sun illuminates it correctly and it does not cast a shadow on your model.
Several photoboards are used in the office image in this post
http://forums.turbofloorplan.com/index.php/topic,758.0.html as the background and to provide the refection in the windows. The proper TFP Background image will not reflect in your model, so if you want the ouside to reflect in a shiny floor for example, you have to use a photoboard or separate image, outside the window or door.
Once you import the image as a photobaord, it is just in a placeholder in your model. If you want to use it again, you can add it to your catalogue using File/ Catalogues / Save Element to Catalogue. You will then be able to use it again with File/ Insert / Photoboard). If you alter the original image on your computer (eg make it darker or lighter) it will change in your model. If you delete it, move it or rename it or the folder, it will dissappear from the model and catalogue and just leave a grey placeholder. Such images are best saved in the TFP Textures folder so you do not accidentally lose them.
The image does not have to be a BMP (JPG is fine) as long as you do not want to cut out any part of it to make it transparent (as in cutting out the background of a photo of a tree so you can use the tree in your model). This must be a BMP and the background colour or transparent part, set to Magenta (Red 255, Green 0, Blue 255). In this post
http://forums.turbofloorplan.com/index.php/topic,771.0.html the background photoboard has the carport cut out to show plants behind and landscape inserted in front of it to create the garden. Most of the plants in the garden are also photoboard cut outs. The image below shows the Photobord image of the house (with carport cut out) and the photoboard trees and plants (from this angle they look 'flat'). If you used a photoboard (or Doug's mirror option) basically you can only render from the exact angle to that shows the photoboard filling the camera view, as in the third image.
The image size for a photoboard does not matter either, as long as it is a clear sharp image, as it just sits on your computer and is linked to TFP. If it is not big enough, just right click, select Properties and resize it and use elevate to move it up or down so that the horizon on the image aligns with your terrain.
The above options are to get a
specific view behind a
specific angle of your model (eg the scene at the back of the house when looking from the front).
BackgroundsIf you just want to use a scene that you like, instead of the existing ones, you can just add an image to the Backgrounds as Robert mentioned, in the same way as you add a new texture. The only problem with the Background image is that you cannot control its position - it just floats around your model, so every side has the same view. You cannot change the brightness or raise or lower it or resize it unless you do that to the original file on your computer. The image will work best if the horizon is vertically in the middle of the image.
Allan
