Grafik Designer 9 masking problem

[Harley]

Hi,
I have a problem with masking and i do not know what i am doing wrong

That`s the way i do it:
Load a photo, select the masking tool, draw a mask within the picture. I can see it, it is active.

As soon i select fx (pencil for instance) i can still see the mask (now without the little handles) however,
then the whole picture is in pencil style - also the masked area... i want the masked area in save mode, that`s why i create a mask.
What do i do wrong ?

Maybe somebody can give me a hint ?

Sincerely
Harley

******* Could it be that live effects do not work with masking ???? *******

[gwpriester]

I think that the masks only work with the Enhance tools, Brightness, Contrast, Saturation, Hue, Blur/Sharpen. You can use some of the Edit tools with masks as well.

[angelize]

As Gary says the effects don't work with the masks or regions which is a shame. However there is a workaround

1. Clone your photo (ctrl +k) and use the page and layer gallery to hide the original for now. (click the little eye beside the gallery entry to hide it)
2. double click the clone to activate the photo tool and crop as close to the object you want to either save or apply the effect to.
3. Use the mask tool to mask your object, and then use the eraser tool to designate the background areas you want to remove and hit background erase. At this point you should have the object showing and the rest of the photo should be gone. Check for any areas that might need cleaning up with the eraser tool.
4. un hide the original photo and now you will have a separate photo on top of it that you can apply effects to or if desired you can apply effects to the bottom photo (the original) and have the object on top preserved.

[Harley]

Hello,
thank you very much for the answers, also for the workaround.

Of course i am very happy with the graphic designer. Still the best programm for graphic and designing
I think this should be changed, so it works easier like in other paint programs.

Sincerely
Harley

[angelize]

I'm glad the workaround was helpful

Keep in mind that all Xara programs are vector based so they are not the same as a raster paint program.

[Harley]

Hi,

do you have another workaround for me ?

GD9 works different as older versions.
I am missing the old mask icon..... because:

GD(old) i took the old mask icon, masked the whole page with one click.
Then i took the freehand tool and draw on the mask the area i want to copy,
strg+c and then gd2013 ask me do you want to copy the object or the mask ?
If i say object, then i had the object in the clipboard and can use it wherever i want

This do not work with GD9 anymore. I allways only can make a copy of the mask, not of the object.
Is there something i am doing wrong ?

[steve.ledger]

I think this should be changed, so it works easier like in other paint programs.

Xara Photo & Graphic Designer 9 is not a paint program, Xara do not create any paint programs.
Masks allow you to apply effects to regions using P&GD9 tools.

[Harley]

Hi Sledger,

that`s what angelize wrote. Thank you also.

However, please see my last post above:

---------------------------------------
.....GD9 works different as older versions.
I am missing the old mask icon..... because:.......
---------------------------------------------

Do you can tell me why this does not work anymore ?
How can i make a accurate mask without a pen tool ?

Do you can give me a hint ?

[steve.ledger]

Correct, version 9 masks are different now, v9 features New Mask & Region Tools
It is explained in the Help file and online at Xara.com

► http://xaragroup.magix.net/PGD9Demo5/

Gary Priester's also touched on the subject for his First Look article

► http://xaraxone.magix.net/PGD9/

[angelize]

The masking Layer works differently in Version 9 but it is still possible to use the shape tool, the Pen tool or even the Freehand tool to create a mask or a region. Just draw your mask on your photo using the desired tool no need to worry about turning on the mask layer. Once you have your shape cut it to the clipboard (ctrl + X) now select either the mask or region painter and paste your shape back in and it will be on the mask layer. Use Ctrl +shift+V to paste in place to make sure your mask is properly aligned.