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Hello folks. I want to add a grunge edge to an image. In another product, I just select eraser and then select the brush I want. Then, whetever I click, it creates transparency. (Irregular pattern rather than solid transparency). Can I do the same in xara designer pro x19?
there are some experts in xara who may know a way.. but that is such a straight forward thing to do in a raster app that has true airbrushes that I would not bother in xara, because I see it as being more work
still see what others come up with ...
Perhaps, you are thinking about Soft Erase; https://helpandsupport.xara.com/xara...erase%20eraser.
You might also try the Shape Painter > Warp setting beforehand.
Acorn
will that work with just a click, or do you have to drag ?
Looking at soft erase, it looks like it just roughs the edge slightly. I am looking to create an irregular speckled effect where some is transparent, and some isn't. Like a spray can edge. I can upload an image of what I achieved in the other product, but in the mean time, instead of the brush adding colour, it adds transparency (if you get what I mean)
know what you maen, easy to do in photoshop, or PTSAI and probably gimp too as I recall, but xara brushes don't work that way afaik
You could use a speckled brush to paint into the mask channel of an opacity mask group.
Sorry, I don't have time to work up an example now but hopefully someone will pick up the challenge!
interesting idea Phll.... :)
sort of:
Attachment 133522
using a brush with values graduating between black/white should give partial transparency for those values
Another way possible is this:
Step 1
Choose a brush you like, you could also create your own
Step 2
Select it and convert the line of the brush into editable shape
Step 3
Select the image and the brush and Subtract Shape (ctrl+2)
Attachment 133523
Very nice, handrawn,
If the speckle brush was semi transparent the speckles would build up darkness where they overlap each other and so you'd get varying levels of transparency in the opacity mask.
Then the more you scribble over the edge, the more it becomes wiped out.
yes I see the potential, not really used opaciy masks that much up to now
personally, it is always the trade off between a raster way and a vector way - the vector way can be more manipulative but it suffers from not being able to see the actual result as you go along [ie not until you apply the mask[s]]
I wrote this last night:Quote:
Originally Posted by Magicdesign
I hadn't though of using an Opacity Mask and I came up with Marco's approach.Quote:
Yes, it would be useful to have a viewing.
You could create a Scatter Brush along the lines of Novelty > Coarse Spray and make the Line quite wide.
I have no idea if you want a box shape but this handles any shape as well as allowing Transparency of the spray.
I stopped at that point as once you Subtract, you are stuck with a fixed shape.
Thank you both @PhilM & @handrawn as your approach retains the means to edit and experiment.
Another arrow for my quiver.
Acorn
handrawn, you can drill into the Opacity mask group > Opacity mask > Line and with the Shape tool adjust the Line, live as it were.Quote:
Originally Posted by handrawn
Acorn
always good to add to acorn's experience, as it's usually the other way round :)
drilling into the mask is one way in which vector is flexible: it is manipulative after the event and those manipulations themselves are editable; whereas raster is usually only corrective as in ctrl+z and do it again, or carry on and rework over if possible
have to say, for me, there is no substitute for seeing the result immediately as you draw, that feedback is part of the art, it 'tells-you-where-to-go-next-in-real-time' assuming you already have the necessary experience to visualise it as you go along
and of course if you edit in a group in xara you lose all context as you cannot the see the rest of the drawing, which I find less than helpful ;)
handrawn, I fine the fun I get from using Xara is the total freedom to experiment. I have control over the brush. I could use double-deckers as the brush and set up random aspects but in viewing the final product, I can tweak or add to the pattern.Quote:
Originally Posted by handrawn
Acorn
Thank you for everyone's feedback. I will try these techniques.
@ acorn
I have total control of a graphite pencil...
more to the point maybe, we all work in our own ways and do what gives us pleasure and satisfaction as well as a result
you are welcome :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Magicdesign
Quote:
Originally Posted by Acorn
My suggestion was just to indicate another possible approach to the problem. The solution through the Opacity Mask is certainly the preferred one because it does not modify the original image and makes everything more easily editable, as Acorn also mentioned.
handrawn, bet you still need a rubber!Quote:
Originally Posted by handrawn
Fully with you on discovering own's own techniques.
Acorn
Attachment 133525
never do anything by halves
:D
That’s awesome @marcod. I was looking for something grunge too.