Scanning Images
Toon Boom Harmony can receive images from any TWAIN device such as scanners and digital cameras. These images can either be loaded into your scene as bitmaps or converted into vector- based images that can be edited using Toon Boom Harmony.
If your operating system does not automatically recognize your device after it has been connected, you must install the correct TWAIN drivers in order to access its contents. You can usually download the drivers from the device manufacturer’s website.
- From the top menu, select File > Import > From Scanner.
The Scan Drawings window opens.
- In the Scan Drawings window, select your scanner or other supported TWAIN device from the Scanner menu. If none are available, check your device to ensure that it's properly connected to your computer. If your device still does not appear in the menu, you may have to shut down and restart the software.
- In the Layer section, decide if the scanned or imported image will be placed on a new layer or existing layer.
‣ | Create Layer: Scans or imports the image into a new layer. Select one of the following options: |
Parameter | Description |
Create Single Layer Named | Creates a layer you can name. |
Create Layer(s) Based on Filenames | Creates a layer based on each unique filename prefix. For example, the filenames a-1.tga, a-2.tga and b-1.tga will create layers named "a" and "b", where "a" has two drawings and "b" has one. When creating a single layer from these three filenames, all three drawings will be inserted in the new layers. |
‣ | Add to Existing Layer: Scans or imports the image into an existing layer. Select a layer from the Layer list. You must scan into the same layer type if you're using an existing layer. |
‣ | Create Symbol for Acquired Items: Encapsulates the bitmap image in a symbol. To mix bitmap images with vector drawings on the same layer, the bitmap image must be encapsulated in a symbol and vice versa. Symbols will also be automatically added to the Symbol folder in the Library view. |
- In the Import Options section, select the Keep As Original Bitmap option.
- In the Alignment section, decide on the size and placement of your scanned image within the camera frame. Depending on the scene settings (the height and width, in pixels, that you chose for your project), an image that you scan may be scaled to the point where all its individual pixels become visible.
Parameter | Description |
Fit |
Enlarges or shrinks (but not distorts) the image height to match the full height of the scene grid.
If the image orientation is landscape, this will enlarge or shrink (but not distort) the image width to match that of the scene grid.
Note that the Fit alignment rule equals the Center Fit rule in the layer properties. |
Pan |
This is the opposite of the Fit parameter. If the image orientation is portrait, its width will be made to match the width of the scene grid. As a result, part of the image’s height will extend beyond the height of the frame. This can be useful if you want to make your background move up and down, or from left to right to make it appear as if the camera is panning or to actually perform a camera pan.
The opposite will apply to a landscape image. Its height will be fit to the scene grid, therefore it is possible that the image will extend beyond the scene grid's boundaries.
Note that the Pan alignment rule equals the Center First Page rule in the layer properties. |
Project Resolution |
Scales the image in proportion to the scene's resolution. The system looks at the resolution of the bitmap image, for example 4000 x 2000, then compares it to the scene's resolution, for example 1920 x 1080, and adjusts the scale factor in proportion. So, in this example, the bitmap would appear at 208% (4000/1920). If you import a bitmap that is 960 x 540, it will be displayed at 50% (960/1920) of the size of the project resolution.
Note that the Project Resolution alignment rule is equal to the As Is rule in the layer properties. |
- In the Drawing Options section, set the following options if desired:
‣ | Drawing Name: Name of the drawing to import. |
‣ | Hold Value: Type the number of frames that the drawing will be exposed. |
‣ | Scan and Advance: Lets you scan one drawing after another every time you click Scan. |
‣ | Flip Drawing: Mirrors the drawings horizontally and scans it this way. |
- Adjust the Scale control and sliders in the Preview Image window until you are satisfied with the view.
- Click Scan to scan your drawing.
- If you are scanning panoramic drawings, in the Page Panning section, move the slider to the next letter to capture your next frame.
- If you have more than one drawing, set the next drawing in place and click Scan again. Repeat until you have finished scanning all your drawings.
- In the Import Options section, select the Import as Toon Boom Bitmap Drawing option.
- In the Layer section, decide if the scanned or imported image will be placed on a new layer or existing layer.
‣ | Create Layer: Scans or imports the image into a new layer. Select one of the following options: |
Parameter | Description |
Create Single Layer Named | Creates a layer you can name. |
Create Layer(s) Based on Filenames | Creates a layer based on each unique filename prefix. For example, the filenames a-1.tga, a-2.tga and b-1.tga will create layers named "a" and "b", where "a" has two drawings and "b" has one. When creating a single layer from these three filenames, all three drawings will be inserted in the new layers. |
‣ | Add to Existing Layer: Scans or imports the image into an existing layer. Select a layer from the Layer list. You must scan into the same layer type if you're using an existing layer. |
‣ | Create Symbol for Acquired Items: Encapsulates the bitmap image in a symbol. To mix bitmap images with vector drawings on the same layer, the bitmap image must be encapsulated in a symbol and vice versa. Symbols will also be automatically added to the Symbol folder in the Library view. |
- In the Alignment section, decide on the size and placement of your scanned image within the camera frame. Depending on the scene settings (the height and width, in pixels, that you chose for your project), an image that you scan may be scaled to the point where all its individual pixels become visible.
The following three Alignment Rules options are available:
Parameter | Description |
Vertical Fit |
Enlarges or shrinks (but not distort) to your image height to match the full height of the scene frame (alignment grid).
|
Horizontal Fit |
Enlarges or shrinks (but not distort) to your image height to match the full width of the scene frame (alignment grid).
|
Actual Size |
Scales the image in proportion to the scene's resolution. The system looks at the resolution of the bitmap image, for example 4000 x 2000, then compares it to the scene's resolution, for example 1920 x 1080, and adjusts the scale factor in proportion. So, in this example, the bitmap would appear at 208% (4000/1920). If you import a bitmap that is 960 x 540, it will be displayed at 50% (960/1920) of the size of the project resolution. |
- In the Drawing Options section, set the following options if desired:
‣ | Drawing Name: Name of the drawing to import. |
‣ | Hold Value: Type the number of frames that the drawing will be exposed. |
‣ | Scan and Advance: Lets you scan one drawing after another every time you click Scan. |
‣ | Flip Drawing: Mirrors the drawings horizontally and scans it this way. |
- Adjust the Scale control and sliders in the Preview Image window until you are satisfied with the view.
- Click Scan to scan your drawing.
- If you are scanning panoramic drawings, in the Page Panning section, move the slider to the next letter to capture your next frame.
- If you have more than one drawing, set the next drawing in place and click Scan again. Repeat until you have finished scanning all your drawings.
- In the Import Options section, select the Convert to Toon Boom Vector Drawing option.
- In the Layer section, decide if the scanned or imported image will be placed on a new layer or existing layer.
‣ | Create Layer: Scans or imports the image into a new layer. Select one of the following options: |
Parameter | Description |
Create Single Layer Named | Creates a layer you can name. |
Create Layer(s) Based on Filenames | Creates a layer based on each unique filename prefix. For example, the filenames a-1.tga, a-2.tga and b-1.tga will create layers named "a" and "b", where "a" has two drawings and "b" has one. When creating a single layer from these three filenames, all three drawings will be inserted in the new layers. |
‣ | Add to Existing Layer: Scans or imports the image into an existing layer. Select a layer from the Layer list. You must scan into the same layer type if you're using an existing layer. |
‣ | Create Symbol for Acquired Items: Encapsulates the bitmap image in a symbol. To mix bitmap images with vector drawings on the same layer, the bitmap image must be encapsulated in a symbol and vice versa. Symbols will also be automatically added to the Symbol folder in the Library view. |
- In the Vectorization section, decide whether you want to import your image in black and white or grey.
Parameter | Description |
Black and White | Vectorizes drawings as a solid black line; creates a 100% vector-based drawing. |
Grey | Vectorizes your image as a mix of vector contour and greyscale bitmap filling. Lines keep the texture from the scan, and the white of the paper becomes transparent. |
- In the Drawing Options section, set the following options if desired:
‣ | Drawing Name: Name of the drawing to import. |
‣ | Hold Value: Type the number of frames that the drawing will be exposed. |
‣ | Scan and Advance: Lets you scan one drawing after another every time you click Scan. |
‣ | Flip Drawing: Mirrors the drawings horizontally and scans it this way. |
- Adjust the Scale control and sliders in the Preview Image window until you are satisfied with the view.
- Click Scan to scan your drawing.
- If you are scanning panoramic drawings, in the Page Panning section, move the slider to the next letter to capture your next frame.
- If you have more than one drawing, set the next drawing in place and click Scan again. Repeat until you have finished scanning all your drawings.