# Bitmaps

Bitmaps (or "snap shots") are not created directly by the image editor, but can be created using another drawing tool and imported. On MS Windows systems, "Windows Bitmap" files with the ".bmp" extension can be imported and added to your image. On X Windows systems, "X Windows dump" file formats ending in ".xwd" can be imported.

To add a raster file to your image use the "Edit/Import..." option. Select a ".bmp" or ".xwd" file from the dialog box and press the "OK" button to import the bitmap.

Once in the image editor, bitmaps can be resizable or non-resizable. To change the scalability, select the bitmap and use the "Edit/Properties..." option. (Remember that resizable bitmaps may take longer to render the first time, and can loose meaningful pictorial information if made smaller.)

Alignment can be applied to bitmaps as well as text primitives. For example, if you wanted a non-scaleable bitmap to remain centered as an image is scaled, its alignment should be centered horizontally and vertically from the "Properties" dialog.