blender · HeyBraza shows you
how to add a reference image in blender
HeyBraza points at the shift+a > image route and the alignment step so the reference lands facing you, not edge-on.
modelling from a reference means getting the picture into the viewport first. blender adds it as an empty, which is why it shows while you work but never appears in a render - that's expected, not a bug.
or do it yourself
- 1line the view up first: press numpad 1 for front or numpad 3 for side - the image is added facing however you're looking.
- 2press shift + a > 'image' > 'reference' and pick your file.
- 3open object data properties (the green image icon) to set 'opacity' so you can see your mesh through it.
- 4tick 'in front' in object properties > viewport display if the reference keeps hiding behind your model.
- 5move and scale it like any object (g, s), then lock it in the outliner (the arrow/filter icons) so you don't select it by accident.
let HeyBraza do this with you
HeyBraza is a tiny on-screen guide that points at the right buttons and talks you through it, on windows and mac.
downloadcommon questions
why doesn't my reference image show up in the render?
reference and background images are empties - they're viewport-only by design. use 'images as planes' if you need it rendered.
the image is invisible from one side - why?
an empty image is single-sided. tick 'show in front' and 'side: both' in its object data properties.