Add white background under line art

[Julie B]

Ok, I know this is easy to do, but I have searched and can not find the answer anywhere!  I have a vector line art drawing and I just to create a white background underneath (there are a LOT of nodes).  I want to create a PNG that has a white inside so whatever background it is placed on will not show through.  I don't want a JPEG as that will create a white background across the canvas. I imagine it is some type of mask, but I can't figure it out!  I hope that makes sense.  

 

Oh and I tried divide, since this is a more complex image, it did not work.

[Alfred]

2 hours ago, Julie B said:

I want to create a PNG that has a white inside

Why do you need a PNG image? Create a rectangle with the Rectangle Tool, give it a white fill and set its stroke colour to ‘None ’ (and/or set the stroke width to zero).

[firstdefence]

Morning Alfred, maybe Julie wants this effect...

I did this in the 1.9.x beta version of Affinity Designer using the contour tool.

[GarryP]

I think a good answer to this question would really depend on more specific information, such as:
* Are there multiple layers?
* Are there multiple curves within the same layer(s)?
* Are all of the curves drawn as strokes or have the strokes been expanded?
* How are the layers arranged in relation to each other? (e.g. grouped, nested, etc.)
* What should the ‘background’ cover? (e.g. the entire illustration including gaps within it or not including any gaps, see attached image?)
If you can show us what the art looks like and give us an idea of where you want the background to be (and where not) then we can give more reasoned answers.

[Pšenda]

1 hour ago, firstdefence said:

maybe Julie wants this effect...

It is a pity that it does not immediately provide a demonstration of what it wants to achieve, so that it is immediately clear.

1 hour ago, firstdefence said:

I did this in the 1.9.x beta version of Affinity Designer using the contour tool.

A similar effect should be done using the Appearance panel in 1.8.

[Tauridean]

You may need to go to Document Setup, select Colour and check Transparent Background. Then you can export a PNG which won’t cover your document with white.

[Julie B]

On 10/17/2020 at 1:19 AM, Alfred said:

Why do you need a PNG image? Create a rectangle with the Rectangle Tool, give it a white fill and set its stroke colour to ‘None ’ (and/or set the stroke width to zero).

I have multiple reasons I want a PNG, clip art is just one example.  A rectangle tool only helps if I am making a rectangular shape.  

 

On 10/17/2020 at 1:24 AM, firstdefence said:

Morning Alfred, maybe Julie wants this effect...

I did this in the 1.9.x beta version of Affinity Designer using the contour tool.

Yes, exactly like this.. I don't haver the beta version yet - but I bet that would be helpful.  This is what I am trying to achieve.  Many of the shapes are complex drawings, some are strokes, but mainly expanded curves.  Sorry, I was not clear, Psenda.    I was speaking in general terms.  All one layer.  So, example...turn the bell image (it is only black lines) into the same black lines with the area filled in, but with the background tranparent- like the head image above

[firstdefence]

Pre Contour version (1.9.x) it’s doable albeit convoluted for individual strokes. Using the bell as an example...

1. Select all of the curves
2. Go to Layer > Geometry > Merge Curves (You should end up with a single curves layer)
3. Duplicate the single curves layer
4. Increase the stroke size to size the size you want the white border to be, also be mindful of how the stroke is aligned.
5. Go to Layer > Expand Stroke
6. Go to Layer > Geometry > Divide
7. Go to Layer > Geometry > Add
8. Change the fill colour to white if it isn’t already and place this below the original layer.

[hatGuy]

you can use a rasterized version of your curves to create the fill as pixel layer´rather quickly