How do I add a background to a viewport in AutoCAD?

Adding a background image to a viewport in AutoCAD can visually enhance your layout by providing context or a specific scene behind your model.

To add an image background to a viewport, follow these steps:

Steps to Add a Background Image to an AutoCAD Viewport

Here is a simple guide based on standard AutoCAD procedures:

1. Right-click the viewport you want to modify on your layout tab.
2. From the context menu, select Viewport Properties. This opens the properties palette or a dialog box related to the viewport.
3. In the properties area, locate and click the Background setting or button. This typically opens the Background dialog box.
4. In the Background dialog box, find the "Type" dropdown or option and click Image.
5. After selecting Image, you will see options related to how the image is displayed. The reference mentions you should Select one of the following options for the background image, which control things like image placement (e.g., stretch, tile) and alignment.
6. Click the File button to open the standard File Browser dialog box.
7. Navigate to the location of your desired image file. The reference indicates you should Specify a bitmap (. ...). Common bitmap formats like .BMP, .JPG, .PNG, etc., are typically supported.
8. Select your image file and click the button that confirms your file selection (often labeled "Open" or similar).

Once the file is selected, you'll likely need to confirm the background settings (e.g., by clicking "OK" in the Background dialog and the Viewport Properties). Your chosen image will then appear as the background within that specific layout viewport.

Remember that the background image is purely visual within the viewport and does not affect the model space geometry itself.