[Figure 6-24] Loaded background image

Loading a Background Image
You load background images using the File, Import, Background Picture menu command. This makes the Open dialog box appear where you can select the image file to open as a background. The file formats that can be imported include SGI, BMP, EXR, GIF, HDR, JPEG, MAC, PCD, PNG, PSD, TGA, and TIF files.

To render the scene with a transparent background so the image can be composited with other elements, use the PNG file format.

If the Document Window is set at a resolution different than the loaded background image, a warning dialog box appears asking if you want to change the Document Window to match the image resolution. Figure 6-24 shows the Document Window with a background image loaded.

If a background image is loaded, but doesn’t appear, select Display, Show Background Picture (Ctrl+B) to make the background image visible. This menu option can also be used to hide the background image.

[Figure 6-25] Loaded background movie

Loading a Background Movie
In addition to static images, Poser can also load movie files as a background. Windows systems use a File, Import, AVI Footage menu command and Macintosh systems use a File, Import, QuickTime Footage menu command. Either command makes an Open dialog box appear where you can select the appropriate file to open. Figure 6-25 shows the Document Window with a background movie.

Clearing the Background
To remove the background picture or movie, use the Display, Clear Background Picture or the Display, Clear Background Footage menu commands.

[Figure 6-26] Background shader

Using a Background Shader
If you open the Material Room, you can select the Background option from the Material List at the top of the Shader Window. This opens the nodes used for the background in the Shader Window, as shown in Figure 6-26. Using these nodes, you can define a shader that is rendered along with the background image or movie. To enable the designated background shader, choose the Display, Use Background Shader Node menu command.

Load a Background Picture
1.       Select File, Import, Background Picture.

The Open dialog box appears.

2.       Select the Oregon coast.jpg image file and click Open.

A warning dialog box appears stating that the Document Window is different than the image resolution. Click the No button to keep the Document Window the same size. The image appears in the background of the Document Window.

3.   Open the Library and apply a walking pose to the character. Then use the Camera Controls to position the figure in the scene so he appears to be walking down the path.

4.   Select the Display, Guides, Ground Plane menu to hide the ground plane. Then disable the view shadows using the Shadows toggle at the bottom of the Document Window.