[Solved] Trouble inserting a picture from file in Draw

[robleyd]

I don't think this question has been addressed since I didn't find it in the search. I am creating a 1/4 page calendar (4 days per page) using a 2x2 graph. I'm trying to insert a photograph into one of the graph boxes but nothing happens. I go to Insert - Picture - From File, then click on my file and make sure that the Link box is checked, and click Open. The picture doesn't show up anywhere. I've tried playing with the layers, but there is no picture. I've also tried copy/pasting the picture into my graph with the same level of success. I've also tried using LibreOffice for this project, but there are lots of problems there too which are not problems in Open Office. All in all, OO will be much easier to use if I can get my pictures to insert. Any ideas? Thanks!

[Zizi64]

I'm trying to insert a photograph into one of the graph boxes but nothing happens.

You can not insert a picture into (inside) an existing shape. You can insert them onto a layer, - behind, near or onto a shape - then you can add borders to the inserted pictures by usage of the shape styles.
Or you can grouping a shape and a picture if you want handle them together.

[Lupp]

You can not insert {highlighting by Lupp} a picture into (inside) an existing shape. ...

Yes, but you can import it to the selection of "Bitmaps" available for the filling of the shape's area.

See this demo: http://psilosoph.de/FreeOfficeForums/ao ... hape_1.odg .

This is the same in Draw an in Writer.
(The context menu of a directly imported picture is slightly different in recent LibO.)

[John_Ha]

See [Tutorial] Some useful hints on using images for a discussion on how best to handle images.

[Zizi64]

Yes, but you can import it to the selection of "Bitmaps" available for the filling of the shape's area.

Yes, it is true: the background image IS located inside the shape.

[kjhmills]

Thanks everyone for your prompt responses and for the links. I will give it all a try today and report back.

[kjhmills]

Okay, I've looked through it but I still need help. I understand how to covert a picture into a bitmap and how to insert it into a shape, but when I do that, I can't resize the picture as I like. I need to be able to insert a picture and resize it to fit my space, but inserting the picture into a shape either gives me part of the picture or the picture several times over, depending on how big I make my shape initially. Also, is there any way to get my picture in there without going through so many steps? There will be a lot of pictures. Out of curiosity, I tried inserting a picture into a graph box in Write, and that worked just fine. Unfortunately, Write doesn't have the other features I need for this project. I feel like I must be missing something, and I've never had to do anything like this with OO before, and it's so very different from any other situation into which I've inserted pictures. Should I create my calendar some other way than using a graph? Thanks again for all your help!

[Zizi64]

Please upload your ODF type sample/s/ file here.

[John_Ha]

I suggest you have a look at the Draw Guide to get an appreciation of how Draw works.

In particular read Chapter 3 - Arranging objects and Moving and dynamically adjusting an object’s size, and Chapter 6 - Importing raster and vector graphics to find a full explanation. For example, Arranging objects says:

Arranging objects

In a complex drawing, several objects may be stacked on top of one another. To rearrange the stacking order (move an object to the front or to the back of the stack), select the object, click Modify > Arrange and choose Bring Forward or Send Backward. Or right-click the object, choose Arrange from the context menu, then choose Bring Forward or Send Backward.

May I suggest you bookmark the web page.

Showing that a problem has been solved helps others searching so, if your problem is now solved, please view your first post in this thread and click the Edit button (top right in the post) and add [Solved] in front of the subject.

[keme]

When you have set the background for an object to your image, keep the Area dialog open (or right click the object and select Area...).

Select the Area tab, untick the Tile option, and tick AutoFit. OK.

If that is not exactly what you need, play around a bit with absolute size (keeps image size constant when you resize the object) or relative size (resizes the image when you resize the object).

[kjhmills]

I'm sorry I took so long to get back to all of you - I didn't have time until now to return to this project. Thank you all, and especially to Lupp for teaching me how to use bitmaps to fill a shape, and to keme for making me aware of the AutoFit option and absolute/relative size. Although it's not as straight forward as I'd like it to be, at least it is now possible to do what I need to do. Thank you!