WordTemplate in Depth > Inserting an Image

Inserting an Image

WordWriter allows you to insert jpg, gif, bmp, and png images in merge fields. You can insert images repeat block and main document merge fields. There are two ways to insert an image into a merge field:

• Using a Placeholder
• Using the Image Modifier

Using a Placeholder

To insert an image in a merge field using a placeholder:

1. Create or open a WordWriter template (for instructions, see Creating a WordWriter Template).
   
   
2. Place the cursor within a merge field.
   
   
3. Open the Insert menu and select Picture -> From File...
   
   
4. Select a jpg, gif, bmp, or png image to insert in the merge field. (WordWriter does not support other image formats.)
   
   
5. Optional: Resize the image.
   
   
6. Save the template.

If you are using a database as a data source, the column that corresponds to the merge field containing the image must be of type BLOB ("Image" in SQL Server). If the data source is an array of objects, the value that corresponds to the merge field containing the image should be a simple byte array.

To specify how WordWriter should scale the image:

1. Right-click the image and select Format Picture...
   
   
2. Select the Size tab.
   
   
3. Check or uncheck Lock aspect ratio.
   
   
4. Check or uncheck Relative to original picture size.

Relative to original picture size	Lock aspect ratio	Meaning
false	false	The image will maintain its natural size and aspect ratio.
true	false	The image will be scaled to fit into the placeholder image but keep its natural aspect ratio.
false	true	The image will be scaled to fit into the placeholder image but keep its natural aspect ratio. The image will not be enlarged if it is smaller than the placeholder image.
true	true	The image will be scaled to fit into the placeholder image and its aspect ratio.

Using the Image Modifier

To insert an image in a merge field the "image" modifier:

1. Create or open a WordWriter template (for instructions, see Creating a WordWriter Template).
   
   
2. Add the "image" modifier in parentheses to the merge field in which you want to insert the image. For example, change <<Product.Image>> to <<Product.Image(image)>>
   
   
3. Optional: Set the "image" modifier's sizing arguments, according to the For example, <<Product.Image(image(1,600,600))>>. The second and third parameters specify width and height respectively. The first argument tells WordWriter how to scale the image:

Value	Meaning
1	The image will always be the width and height specified regardless of its natural size.
2	The image will always be enlarged or shrunk to fit within the bounds specified by width and height but it will keep its natural aspect ratio.
3	The image will be scaled down to within the bounds specified by width and height but it will keep its natural aspect ratio.

If you are using a database as a data source, the column that corresponds to the merge field containing the image must be of type BLOB ("Image" in SQL Server). If the data source is an array of objects, the value that corresponds to the merge field containing the image should be a simple byte array.

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