Using Image Shape

Image Shape is a utility for displaying an image on any diagrams, and it can also act as a link to a file. Unlike Visio shapes, you do not need a 3rd party application to be installed in order to use it. With Image Shape, you can easily add images to document and annotate important ideas in the diagram.

Like standard shapes in VP’s products, an Image Shape can be connected to other shapes (via Generic Connector) and can have a caption.

Note: The caption of Image Shape is empty by default; just double-click on it to edit the caption. Unlike other shapes in VP’s products, the caption of Image Shape is freely movable.

You can either create an Image Shape using the diagram toolbar, by copy and paste, or by drag and drop.

1. Click on the Image Shape button on the diagram toolbar.
   
   
   
2. Click on the diagram, an Image Shape is created and a file dialog shows for selecting an image. Upon selecting an image, its preview is shown on the right of the dialog box.
   
   
   
3. In the Image Location group, select an option:
   
   Embedded – The source image will be copied and embedded into the project, which means any modification to or removal of the source image will not affect the image in this Image Shape.
   
   The advantage of using embedded image is the image remains even when the source image no longer exists. While the disadvantage is the project file size will grow since images are copied to the project, and the embedded image cannot update when the source image is updated.
   
   Linked – The Image Shape links the source image for display, which means any modification to or removal of the source image will also be reflected in this Image Shape.
   
   The advantage of using linked image is the project file size will not grow since images are just linked but not copied to the project, and the image in the Image Shape will update when the source image is updated. While the disadvantage is the image will lost when the source image no longer exists.
   
   
4. After selecting the image location option, click Open to confirm.

1. Copy an image to the clipboard.
   
   
   
2. Switch to one of VP’s products such as VP-UML, open a diagram, select menu Edit > Paste or use hotkey Ctrl + V. An image shape is created with the copied content.
   
   
   Note: The image location of the Image Shape created by copy and paste will be set to Embedded.

1. Drag one or more files from your computer and drop to a diagram.
   
   
   
2. An image shape will be created for each dropped file.
3. If you dropped an image file to the diagram, an image shape will be created that embed the dropped image.
4. If you dropped a non-image file to the diagram, an image shape will be created that links to this file . And it shows the system icon of the file for indication. Refer to Selecting Linked File for more information on how to link the image shape to file.
   
   
   

No matter what method you used to create an Image Shape, you can change its source image later on. To selecting an image, perform one of the following actions:

1. Right-click on an Image Shape and select Select Image... from the popup menu.
   
   
   
2. Select an Image Shape, click on the button next to the Image property in the Property table.
   
   
   A file dialog shows for selecting an image. For details on the options in selecting an image, please refer to Creating Image Shapes by Using Diagram Toolbar.

An Image Shape can act as a link to a file. To select the linked file, perform one of the following actions:

1. Right-click on an Image Shape and select Select Linked File... from the popup menu.
2. Select an Image Shape, click on the button next to the Linked File property in the Property table.

A file dialog shows for selecting a linked file. Once an Image Shape is linked to a file, you can double-click it to open the linked file.

Image Shape has two image scaling options which determine how an image will be displayed when the Image Shape changes it size.

1. To select an image scaling option, right-click on the Image Shape and select Scaling from the popup menu.
   
   
   Fit to Shape – The image will be expanded or shrunk to fit the shape when the Image Shape changes its size.
   
   
   Actual Size – The image will always be displayed in its actual size no matter how large the Image Shape is.
   
   
   

To export image from an Image Shape, right-click on it and select Export Image... from the popup menu. A file dialog will show for selecting the path of the exported image. You may also choose the exported image format as either JPG or PNG.

To export the linked file from an Image Shape, right-click on it and select Export Linked File... from the popup menu. A file dialog will show for selecting the path of the exported file.

• See how to insert image to diagram
  Inserting Image to Diagram
  
  
• Get more tips on diagramming with Visual Paradigm’s Products
  Tips and Tricks on Diagramming
  
  
• Learn more about object-relational mapping
  Object-Relational Mapping

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  • Chapter 2 Working with Projects - This chapter offers basis in working with VP-UML project, such as creating, exporting and merging projects.
    
    
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