Blending tutorials?

I found the two most basic Blending tutorials but it doesn't show how to do what I want to do. How do I get the blend to go from the front object to the back object? I.E., I have two shapes, one "on top" of the other - not in different layers - just one in the foreground and one in the background. Every time I use the blend tool the blend goes from the back shape to the front shape, even if I select the front shape first. The thing is that my front shape has some water ripple effects in it - what I want is for that object to blend into the background object with out any lines so that I get the ellipse shape of my background, with the nice ripple effects of my fore ground. Attached is an example - as you can see, there is no "blend" effect between the two objects. Any suggestions on how to do this? Can anyone suggest a good tutorial on how to achieve this effect? TIA.

Coleen, when you select both objects, you will see their control points. If you blend from a control point on the background shape to the corresponding control point in the front shape, it should work. You will only need to adjust the number of blend steps.

Thanks. Unfortunately it doesn't give the effect I'm looking for. I am really not sure how to do this then. I want the ripple effect but I want to keep the ellipse shape. I was hoping to blend the two objects to achieve that effect, but it doesn't seem to work like that. I'll have to think of another way to get it. What I'm really trying to do is to blend live effects such as the water ripple to make the effect contained within an ellipse shape. Any suggestions are very welcome.

Okay, this attachment is more what I had in mind. It still needs a little work (colors aren't quite what I want) but this is much more of the effect that I am trying to achieve. I used the elliptical fill on one object and the combined it with the water ripple live effect on another object and added the shapes. Still a work in progress though...

Hi Coleen,
Perhaps this youtube video by Egg Branhill will help and give you some of the information you are after.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzpXUS2Tuuw

Hey Coleen

I've seen your postings for a while now and wanted to say something and now i have reason -- My brother just got back from Belize yesterday, he had a great time.

Thanks Larry. That sort-of helps, but I guess I'm going to have to play around with it. I'm using Xara Photo & Graphics Deigner 6 and the nodes to show me where/which way the blend is going aren't the same. I'll keep working on it and post what I end up with - if it works! Thanks!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Coleen

what I want is for that object to blend into the background object with out any lines so that I get the ellipse shape of my background, with the nice ripple effects of my fore ground.

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I slightly enlarged the rippled shape then used the 'Feather tool'. After selecting both shapes I pressed 'Q' to apply a clipview.

Is this the sort of result you want?

Yeah MLJK it's great here ;) depending on where you go. I live in the north near Corozal and the border of Mexico. The Caye's (Ambergris and Cay Caulker) are great, but very expensive. I love the beauty of the country - so much potential here! It's Ex-Pat heaven! I must admit - I feel very fortunate to live here! The only real drawback is the lack of a really good Internet service provider at a reasonable price!

I worked on San Pedro and Caye Caulker (for aeau - a video production company), (now working on a website for a real estate company in San Pedro, yes i'm using Xara Designer Pro 7) - i'm in los angeles California but lived and work in b city at baymen cable channel 9 / 11.
btw i Had fun in Progresso Orange Walk District,
umm do you know of any Price in Corozal?
Pm me

Anyhoo, back on topic. How was my suggestion for your blend Colleen? Does it fit your requirements or was there something quite particular you needed, maybe a third party example you could show us if not?

Yes, Shapeshifter that is almost exactly the effect I am looking for - thanks!

Got it - thanks so much for the explanation and the example! Here is what I ended up with (almost exactly the same as what you did) This is (hopefully) going to be the coffee in the cup...Attachment 83307

Looks like a Tiger's Eye (or do they call those stones: Cat's Eye?) -Very Pretty Coleen! Thanks for Sharing. Tom aka Hwy101

DM613 - Spammer Alert!

[EDIT: spammer has been removed]

Anyhooo - back on topic..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Coleen

Got it - thanks so much for the explanation and the example! Here is what I ended up with (almost exactly the same as what you did) This is (hopefully) going to be the coffee in the cup...Attachment 83307

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Yes, that's quite good now that I know the true purpose of your graphic. :)