---
title: "Background"
url: "https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/DBASEDRAW-BASEDRAW_GROUP_BACKGROUND.html"
section_path: "Attribute Manager > Mode > Viewport > Background"
element_id: "DBASEDRAW"
group_id: "BASEDRAW_GROUP_BACKGROUND"
description: "Displays the defined image in the background in 2D views (e.g., front, back, top). This function is ideal for displaying a template for modeling."
---

## Background

Displays the defined image in the background in 2D views (e.g., front, back, top). This function is ideal for displaying a template for modeling.

### Image

Parameter ID: `BASEDRAW_DATA_PICTURE`

The name of the selected background image is displayed here. The button on the right opens a dialog to load a new image. Any bitmap [format](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/6198.html.md) known to Cinema 4D can be loaded here.

You can also drag and drop an image directly from the desktop to a corresponding view in order to load a background image here.

### Show Picture

Parameter ID: `BASEDRAW_DATA_SHOWPICTURE`

Switch a background image on and off temporarily here.

### Mode

Parameter ID: `BASEDRAW_DATA_BACKIMAGEMODE`

With these two modes, you can define how an image loaded into the background should create the new pixels from the existing pixels when scaling. **Next** has sharp edges, while the image becomes increasingly blurred with **Linear**.

### Keep Aspect Ratio

Parameter ID: `BASEDRAW_DATA_KEEP_ASPECT`

This scales a loaded background image proportionally.

### Offset X

Parameter ID: `BASEDRAW_DATA_OFFSETX` · Range: [-∞..+∞]

### Offset Y

Parameter ID: `BASEDRAW_DATA_OFFSETY` · Range: [-∞..+∞]

Move the background image horizontally or vertically here.

### Size X

Parameter ID: `BASEDRAW_DATA_SIZEX` · Range: [-∞..+∞]

### Size Y

Parameter ID: `BASEDRAW_DATA_SIZEY` · Range: [-∞..+∞]

Scale the background image horizontally or vertically here.

### Rotation

Parameter ID: `BASEDRAW_DATA_PICTURE_ROTATION` · Range: [-360..360°]

If you also want to rotate the background image you can do this using this parameter.

### Transparency

Parameter ID: `BASEDRAW_DATA_PICTURE_TRANSPARENCY` · Range: [0..99%]

Fade in the background image steplessly.

### Alpha Mode

Parameter ID: `BASEDRAW_DATA_PICTURE_USEALPHA`

If the loaded background image has an alpha channel, you can evaluate this in the background image. Then define **Normal** or **Inverted**. The latter mode reverses the alpha channel.

> **Tip:** Note:The background image displayed will be fixed to a specific position and size and is also scaled when the view is zoomed. This image is not intended for rendering, but is merely an aid for modeling. For example, you can place a sketch of your model in each of your three views (left, top and front) and then model it very easily. As the image changes with the camera, the reference points will remain the same.