I am trying to set up TortoiseSVN. I am using the Windows version and using the context menu, you right click and it has some options.
For initially getting my files
The TortoiseSVN site has help on this topic:
Importing Data Into A Repository
The "Import in Place" method will be easiest.
--By the way, "export" in Subversion is a way to get an unversioned copy of your code out of your repository.