[Bf-committers] Reference Images Proposal

[Andy Braham]

Hi everyone,
     I wanted to start work on improving background images, right now 
the only thing that can be done with background images is adjusting the 
scale, and x/y position this does not leave very much flexibility. What 
I propose on doing is creating a "Reference Image" or "Image" option in 
empty objects, or possibly adding a new "Image" object using empty 
objects as the foundation. This would eliminate the need to adjust the 
images external to Blender plus many more benefits:

1.) Image orientation - Allows any image orientation and scale helping 
with aligning and fine tuning images.
2.) Multiple Images with varying depths - This functionality would be 
invaluable when modeling objects with cross sections.
3.) Scenes - Allows images to be used as objects in scenes saving time 
on modeling and allows "stacked" image backgrounds
                       similar to cartoon style backgrounds.
4.) Foreground Images - By using X-Ray the image would be rendered in 
the foreground.
5.) Projection - When Project Paint is finished this will allow the 
addition for the ability to move the image over a object and project
                              the image into the texture.
6) Flexibility - This allows Blender to be much more flexible by not 
tying the images to just a view orientation.
6.) Implementation - This functionality would be quite easy to implement 
since none of the views would be affected by adding more options.

  I would really like some feedback on this from everyone.

/Thanks,
Andy Braham/
[IRC: Smurfinator]