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Designer: Transparency Tool won't work


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I've watched several of your videos on this topic but none address my problem.  I'm trying to use the Transparency Tool, but it won't let me select the type of linear, or radial or any other.  That selection option drop down is unresponsive.  I have unlocked the one layer I'm working with.  I have downloaded a new copy of Designer from the Apple Store.  I know I got it to work a few years ago.  What could be wrong, or what options have I not selected.  HELP!

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Hi and welcome to the forums @Toad,

Are you trying to use it on a Pixel or image layer? You'll find it only works on vector objects.

Mac Pro (Late 2013) Mac OS 12.7.6 
Affinity Designer 2.5.5 | Affinity Photo 2.5.5 | Affinity Publisher 2.5.5 | Beta versions as they appear.

I have never mastered color management, period, so I cannot help with that.

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19 minutes ago, Old Bruce said:

Are you trying to use it on a Pixel or image layer? You'll find it only works on vector objects.

For me the Transparency tool works fine on "(Image)" layers & even on embedded document layers. But it does not work on "(Pixel)" layers.

All 3 1.10.8, & all 3 V2.5.5 Mac apps; 2020 iMac 27"; 3.8GHz i7, Radeon Pro 5700, 32GB RAM; macOS 10.15.7
A
ll 3 V2 apps for iPad; 6th Generation iPad 32 GB; Apple Pencil; iPadOS 15.7

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11 minutes ago, R C-R said:

For me the Transparency tool works fine on "(Image)" layers & even on embedded document layers. But it does not work on "(Pixel)" layers.

Now I am wondering just what the heck I had done earlier. Image layers and Embedded Documents are also good to go for the Transparency Tool, just the pixel layers don't work.

Mac Pro (Late 2013) Mac OS 12.7.6 
Affinity Designer 2.5.5 | Affinity Photo 2.5.5 | Affinity Publisher 2.5.5 | Beta versions as they appear.

I have never mastered color management, period, so I cannot help with that.

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Thanks to all of you for the rapid response.  There was a suggestion that I 'PLACE' an image on top of the pixel layer and then delete the pixel layer.  That worked.  I wanted to use the Transparency tool in Designer because making a vignette with it seems simpler than using the Photo gradient  route.  Why is it that all the images I place in Designer become pixel layers?  I am obviously a novice here.  Even figuring out how to find your responses was a challenge.

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4 hours ago, Toad said:

Why is it that all the images I place in Designer become pixel layers? 

Please describe how you are getting your images into Designer. Anything other than File > Open should, I think, end up as an (Image) layer rather than a (Pixel) layer.

-- Walt
Designer, Photo, and Publisher V1 and V2 at latest retail and beta releases
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10 hours ago, Toad said:

Why is it that all the images I place in Designer become pixel layers?

Are you really using the File > Place menu item or the Place Image Tool to do that? If you use either one, or you copy & paste or drag & drop a raster image file (JPG, PNG, etc.) into your Affinity document, you should get an "(Image)" layer, not a "(Pixel)" layer.

All 3 1.10.8, & all 3 V2.5.5 Mac apps; 2020 iMac 27"; 3.8GHz i7, Radeon Pro 5700, 32GB RAM; macOS 10.15.7
A
ll 3 V2 apps for iPad; 6th Generation iPad 32 GB; Apple Pencil; iPadOS 15.7

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