Designer Pro 6

[Gare]

Okay, consider it covered. The Opacity Mask system sort of operates like the Light and Dark contone mapping with images, except it maps transparency instead of colors. A quick example is:

1. Import a bitmap, a photo would be best.
2. Create a rectangle that covers it. Then apply a linear gradient fill to it, and on the Infobar, make the gradient repeat several times, from black to white, to black, and so on.
3. copy the rectangle to the clipboard.
4. With the image selected, choose Edit>Paste Opacity Mack>Paste in Place.

You'll see that the copy of the rectangle now maps black to transparent in the photo, while white maps opacity, and shades of black are intermediate shades of transparency. Put a shape behind the photo to really see what's been done, and use the Layers gallery to detach an opacity mask.

More comprehensive coverage to come real soon.

My Best,

Gary

[Karateed]

Wow Gary,

As usual you are right on top of it.....

[Gare]

Hey, paper covers rock.

-g-
(but I believe scissors cut paper...)

[KultiVator]

I'd second Angelize's request - perhaps just adding that it'd be good to come at this from a couple of creative/real-world applications for Opacity Masks... as this might help get more people past the head-scratching stage!

Look forward to the new materials.

I would say all of the above, but one new feature that seems to confuse even some of the expert users is the opacity mask.

[Gare]

Hi KultiVator—

First of all, the chapters will be electronic PDFs (I think I mentioned this), and these aren't "sanctioned" McGraw-Hill "bonus chapters" or anything, however, I intend to extend the style of the Official Guide, and make all the good stuff that needs documenting to be within the context of step-by-step, real world examples. And please forgive in advance the reality that there will be no copy editing—I'm on my own with this stuff.

So there will be files to download, too.

Just like the book.
(I think I mentioned this).

Gare
-Assistant Administrator-
Dept. of Redundancy Dept.

[Karateed]

Though anything you do will first class, we know that.....

[gracehjs]

As you are about to be "deleted" can you tell us where you will put the additions stuff?

Thanks

[Gare]

Yes, my notification that the forum for The Xara Official Guide is going away was fairly unceremonious and final as I received the news today.

I will continue to field questions and provide support at TheBoutons.com

So please bear with me, I'm a committee of only one individual, and I'll have more documentation posted as soon as the ink on the PDFs are dry.

Thanks to Steve, all the moderators, and the new friends I've been privileged to meet in my tenure as moderator here.

My Best,

Gary

[Fred C]

Gary,

Thank you for graciously sharing your expertise. I'm sad and confused about your 'unceremonious' notification and departure as moderator. Your last edit reason says it all.

Best Regards,

[Gare]

I'm uncertain whether "The Reason" will be explained to all, but rest assured I was kidding about removing the curse words.

TG has been nothing short of gracious in their offer to host this area, I am in their debt, and truly, the explanation was that the book on version 5 just isn't current...which it is not.

TheBoutons require that you register in order to post, just like TG and other forums (to keep the trolls out), but that's about it.

My Best,

Gary