User Guide

Chapter 7: Sprite Technology
Noise applied to vector graphic
Mask on
Mask off
For a built-in effect, Canvas uses the best selection mask setting. For third-party effects, you might
need to change the mask setting for the best results.
Blur effects usually require the selection mask to be off, so the blur can extend beyond the outline of
an object. Other effects look best when they are based on a selection; e.g., a flame effect will cover
an entire bounding box if the selection mask is off. If the mask is on, flames will rise from just the
objects or text characters in the selection. This does not mean that flames can’t rise above the
selection, just that the effect will be based on the selection, not the entire bounding box.
When you edit the settings for an effect, Canvas displays a border on the selection, the same as the
selection border that appears in images.
Effects area
When you apply effects to an object, Canvas defines a rectangular effects area. Usually, the effects
area is slightly larger than the bounding box of the object to which the effects are applied. There is
one effects area for all effects applied to an object. Canvas tries to keep the effects area as small as
possible, without cropping out any visible objects. You can adjust the effects area using the
SpriteEffects palette. The palette lets you set the effects area manually or automatically.
Modifying the effects area
You might need to enlarge the effects area to see effects that extend beyond an object’s edge; e.g.,
Motion Blur and plug-in effects like bevel, glow, and fire usually need to extend beyond an object’s
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