Can you trace a bitmap in SW sketch mode???

Hi,

Still new (4 months) to SW (2004 Office)... so here goes:

Can you import a bitmap (jpg, tiff, etc) as a background for a sketch?

Explanation / Past History:

When creating models I have found it handy to take a picture of an item and
trace it to get "close" to the size and aspect ratios of edges, etc. Kind
of a poor man's digitizer. I have used it to create drawings of documents I
have photographed when no copier is handy, especially for those D and E
drawings!

The way I have done this in the past, is I import a bmp into AutoCAD LT the
trace it (edit units, scale it, etc) then save as a dxf. Then import it
into SW, edit the sketch, dimension, extrude or revolve it, etc. to create a
3D model.

Just want to know if there is a direct way of doing this. I would like to
use a feature like this directly in SW if at all possible. If not seems
like a wish list item... for me at least.

Thanks,

Aron

 

Dale,

Thank you very much, that sure saves some time!

I am liking SolidWorks better every day.

Aron