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Importing and exporting images

In Canvas there are several ways to import raster images into your document. You can open an image file directly, place an image in your document, or import the image. When you use the Import command, the Import dialog box filters the files you see, so that you can easily find your image files.

Importing images

Importing an image places it in the current document as a paint object. In most cases, Canvas stacks imported images at the center of the current view. You can also choose to import a low-resolution proxy of an image. The proxy image is linked to the original image file. The Acquire as Proxy option is only available when you import TIFF, JPEG, and CVI files.

To import an image:

  1. Choose Image | Import.
  2. In the Select images to import dialog box, select the image you want to import.
  3. Click the Import button.

To import an image proxy:

  1. Choose Image | Import.
  2. In the Select images to import dialog box, select a TIFF, JPEG, or CVI image.
  3. Select the Acquire as Proxy check box.

  4. Click the Import button.

    The proxy image is linked to the image file.

For information about importing images with a TWAIN scanner, see Using TWAIN-compatible scanners.

Exporting images

When you export an image from a Canvas document, Canvas creates a file on disk from a single selected paint object. Using Export is similar to using Save As, except that you must select a paint object before you choose Export.

To export an image:

  1. Select the paint object or image to export.

    2. Images in edit mode can't be exported. Press Esc to exit edit mode.

  2. Choose Image | Export, and select a file format.

  3. In the Export Image dialog box, type a file name, select a location for the exported file, and then click Save.

    If the image mode of the selected paint object is not supported by the chosen format, the Render Image dialog box appears. In the dialog box, select an image format supported by the file format. If an image mode is not available in the Mode menu, the selected file format does not support that mode (see Rendering objects and images for more information).

Viewing EXIF information

EXIF (Exchangeable Image File) is a format that stores information in digital images. Almost all new digital cameras use EXIF to store information on the image such as shutter speed, exposure compensation, F number, what metering system was used, if a flash was used, ISO number, date and time the image was taken, white balance, auxiliary lenses that were used, and resolution.

Canvas provides quick and easy access to most of the information that is attached to these images.

To view EXIF information:

  1. Select an image in your Canvas document.
  2. Do one of the following:

    If the image does not contain any EXIF information, the DCS information (EXIF) option is not available.

Exporting EXIF information

When you export an image, if you choose JPEG (8-bit/channel) or TIFF (8-bit/channel or 16-bit/channel) format, you can export the EXIF information with the image. (See Creating Web pages from Canvas documents). However, the EXIF data is only preserved if you have not made changes to the image in the Canvas document, or if you have made changes to the image's pixels, such as if you've fixed red eye. If you have made other changes to the image, such as rotated, skewed, or adjusted the transparency, or if you have composited other objects with the image, the EXIF information is not preserved.

To export EXIF Information:

  1. Select an image in your Canvas document.
  2. Choose Image | Export | JPEG or TIFF.
  3. Type a filename and select a location for the exported image.
  4. Click Save.
  5. In the Export Options dialog box, select the Include EXIF Data check box.
  6. Click OK.