How do you use an image in a blender animation?

Question

I'm making a video intro and I would like to use a logo (.png image) in the animation.

I tried using an Image Empty but I've learned that they don't render.

Any other ideas?

Answer 1

Import Images as Planes Add-on

This is an add-on bundled with Blender. Go to File > User Preferences > Addons and type Import Images as Planes. Check the add-on to enable it.

Cycles Render

Key Shift + A and select Mesh > Images as Planes. Find the image in the File Browser. On the lefthand side, choose either Diffuse or Emission considering that Emission does not require a light source but does not receive shadows (without a crazy amount of Compositing; see my answer here) and Diffuse does require a light source and, likewise, receives shadows. Click Import Images as Planes.

Blender Render

Key Shift + A and select Mesh > Images as Planes. Find the image in the File Browser. On the lefthand side, either check Shadeless or don't considering that Shadeless does not require a light source but does not receive shadows and not checking Shadeless does require a light source and, likewise, receives shadows. Click Import Images as Planes.