Mon Sep 09, 2002 4:50 pm Author: jsco59
Gray,
In response to your question, YES, you can import a picture and lay your work over the picture.
I use a digital camera (an old, out of date, low resolution - but it works fine camera) to take pictures of buildings, existing signs, vehicles, you name it. Let's say we're doing a vehicle. I take side shots of the vehicle and take a single dimension from some area, like the width of the door. Upload the photos to your computer and import the photo to VMP. Make a box that is the same width as your door dimension. Make it a contrasting color to the photo. Bring the box to the front or top layer. Select your digital picture. Grab the upper (or lower) left or right corner. Press shift while dragging the corner to a larger area. You may have to zoom out. Size the photo according to the door dimension. When the width of the door and the "box" match, your photo is exact size.
Now you have an exact template to work on.
If you are working with a building, do the same thing. You can even take an angled shot of the building and then "fit" your design to the angled shot.
Use the print function to output the sketch. Create a template with your business name and info... print the sketch and present it to you customer. I have had MANY, MANY customers tell me that they chose my design on PRESENTATION ALONE even if my price was higher than the other guy.
Feel free to e-mail me if you have any questions.