User Guide

Chapter 7: Sprite Technology
3. To adjust the effect, drag the handles to reposition the transparency vector. When you
finish, press Esc to leave edit mode.
To set the vector mask scope:
When you apply a vector mask to a vector object, the mask affects the vector object’s fill ink or its
fill ink and stroke (pen ink). To change the effect, change the Scope option in the Properties bar or
Transparency palette (see "Controlling the scope of transparency effects" on page 670).
Masking with a vector object
Create a vector mask by attaching a vector object to another object. Like other vector masks, a vector
mask created from a vector object produces transparency relative to its color values; e.g., if the
vector object that you attach is solid white, it creates no transparency; if it is solid black, it creates
100% transparency, making the masked object invisible.
To attach a vector mask:
1. Place a vector object to use as a mask in front of the object to be masked. The two objects do
not have to overlap or touch, but the vector object must be in front of the other object in the
stacking order.
2. Select both objects.
3. Choose Object | SpriteLayers | Attach Mask. Canvas creates a vector mask and both objects
remain selected. The original vector object is not changed.
If the vector object and the object to be masked aren’t the same size, Canvas scales the vector object
to fit the masked object.
Editing vector masks
You can edit vector masks that have been applied with the Vector Transparency tools, and masks
created by attaching gradient-filled vector objects. Editing lets you change the boundary of the
opaque and transparent areas of a mask. You can also add nodes for finer control of transparency
levels.
The handles correspond to the values in the Mask area in the Transparency palette. When you drag a
handle, the values are updated to match the new position.
To edit a vector mask:
1. Select the object and click Edit in the Transparency palette (see "Using the Transparency
palette" on page 666). Or, select the Vector Transparency tool that was used to apply the
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