Background Image Layer Options

The Background Image layer is available for 2-dimensional maps (EZ maps, grid-based maps, borehole location maps, stratigraphic surface maps, etc.). It is used to specify a raster image to be used as the background for the other map layers. This can be a nifty way to plot contours or map symbols on top of a scanned road map, an aerial photo, etc. This tool requires that the bitmap image already exists, stored in the current project folder in a BMP, JPG, EMF/WMF, PCX, PNG, TGA and TIF format.  Georeferencing the image can be done by manually entering the coordinates, with a World File, or with the project dimensions.

! This tool does not create bitmap images.

Menu Options

• File Name: Click on the small open-file button to the right to browse for the name of the image file to be displayed behind the other map layers.  The supported formats are listed above.

• Image Location:  You have several options for entering the coordinates at which the bitmap is to be displayed.  This is required because bitmaps are not stored with any kind of global coordinate information.
  • Output Dimensions:  Choose this option if the current output dimensions represent the border coordinates for the image you've selected.
  • World File: Choose this option if there is an accompanying World File which defines the image extents. 
    • Automatically Determine:  Choose this option if the program is to search automatically for a World file with the same file name as the Image File, above, and with either world file name extensions: *.bmpw or *.bpw  (italicized letters are replaced by the extension characters of the Image File, as in *.pngw or *.pgw, etc.)
    • Manually Select: Choose this option to specify the name for the World file. 
      • World File Name: Click on the small open-file button to the right to browse for the World file to be used for georeferencing the selected image.
  • Manually Specify:  Click in this radio button if you want to type in the X and Y coordinates for each bitmap corner. 
    ! RockWorks assumes that these coordinates match the coordinate system and units defined in the Output Dimensions.
    • Western Border: Enter the X (Easting) coordinate represented along the western edge of the image (X-Min).
    • Southern Border: Enter the Y (Northing) coordinate represented along the southern edge of the image (Y-Min).
    • Eastern Border: Enter the X (Easting) coordinate represented along the eastern edge of the image (X-Max).
    • Northern Border: Enter the Y (Northing) coordinate represented along the northern edge of the image (Y-Max).

See also

• Floating and draping bitmap images in 3D
• Rectifying images
• Raster Image Settings in RockPlot2D where you can adjust scaling, layers, and transparency
• 2D Map Options Overview
  

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