MX

Multi-stage graduated transparency
Just as you can add multiple stages to a graduated fill, you can do the same with a graduated
transparency. This allows you to fade, for example, from opaque to 50% transparent then back up to
25% transparent, back to opaque, etc.
You can set the level of transparency at each stage, by selecting a handle and then adjusting the
transparency slider. Add additional stages by double-clicking on the graduated transparency line then
adjusting the slider.
See the Fills chapter for more information on manipulating the handles.
Transparency types
The most common type of transparency, and the only type that many other applications understand is
called "Mix transparency". But Web Designer MX Premium supports different type that affect the
objects in different ways.
Web Designer Premium has these types of transparency:
Mix
The color of the object mixes with the color of underlying objects. The effect is similar to spraying a thin
coat of color (or paint) over underlying objects.
Stained glass
The effect is similar to viewing underlying objects through colored glass. It is useful for the simulation of
glass and selectively darkening objects. The color of the object with Stained Glass applied:

White - no effect on the colors of underlying objects.

Gray & Black - darkens the colors of underlying objects.

Other colors - darken underlying colors towards saturated color (light red over light red results in
mid-red: green over red results in black). If you want to use a colored object to darken
underlying colors, you may find Darken transparency type easier to use.
Technically the process is subtractive in RGB color space.
Bleach
Bleach has no clear analogy in the physical world. It is useful for highlights when the light source is not
white. The color of the object with Bleach applied:

Gray & White - lightens the colors in underlying objects.

Black - no effect on the colors of underlying objects.

Other colors - lighten underlying colors towards unsaturated color. (Light-red over light-red gives
a pale-red: green over red gives yellow.) If you want to use a colored object to lighten but not
color-shift underlying colors, you may find Lighten transparency type easier to use.
Technically the process is additive in RGB color space.
Contrast
Usually you would use C on a separate object to modify the color of underlaying objects (that is, you
would use an object as a filter). Depending on the color chosen, it increases the contrast of underlying
colors (make them brighter or duller).The color of the object with Contrast applied:

Gray (below a 50% tint of black) & White - increase contrast (compress the color range) to
make the underlying colors brighter.

Gray (above a 50% tint of black) & Black - make underlying colors duller (towards gray).

Other colors - convert the color to the equivalent shade of gray. (Yellow gives light gray, Red
dark gray.) Then increase or decrease the contrast of underlying objects.
Saturation
Usually you would use Saturation on a separate object to modify the color of underlaying objects (that
is, you would use an object as a filter). Depending on the color chosen, it makes the colors of underlying
Page 687