Is it possible to feather shapes or curves?

[languidcorpse]

Is possible to feather shapes or curves? And by this I mean go back and edit while maintaining the curve data.

I realize I can feather a selection and delete or mask an image. 

For example:  a feathered box behind text to dim a competing background image. The outer glow is not sufficient and neither does the stoke achieve the result. This ability is also very handy for custom vignettes etc. Or feathering a photo but maintaining the curve for nondestructive edits. 

(please say yes) :D 

[GarryP]

Can you give more details about what you mean by ‘feathering’ a shape or curve”?

A curve is just a geometrical line which passes through a set of points, and a shape is just one or more curves, so I don’t understand how it could be “feathered”, in and of itself.

Also, I can’t tell if your example is what you want or what you have got.

If you could show us what you have (before you have tried your own ‘feathering’), and a visual example of what you want to achieve, then someone can probably help, but we may need more information.

[NotMyFault]

You can add a Gaussian blur filter on any shape. This works well for shapes with solid fill colors.

In case of shapes filled with bitmap fills or fine details, you need to restrict the blur filter to the alpha channel, based on the tutorial below:

 

[NotMyFault]

Just found a better solution:

1. Duplicate the layer you want to feather 
2. nest one to the other in masking position 
3. add live Gaussian blur in masking position of inner
4. Adjust strength to taste
5. in my experiments the alpha values did not reach 0 to 100 but only a subset of this range. To correct:
6. add a channels mixer above child layers
7. choose alpha channel 
8. set offset to -100%
9. set alpha input to 200%

now the feather works as wanted.

The file shows a 1px checkered board above a blue fill layer. You can feather the shape from hard edge to soft 

tutorial live feather mask.afphoto

[lacerto]

Obsolete.

[loukash]

1 hour ago, lacerto said:

in InDesign where you can apply feathering on shapes, strokes and text and retain editability, without causing rasterization.

Adobe PDF export is simply classes better than Affinity's PDFlib which is mediocre at best, pathetic at worst. Sad but true.
I've explored similar issues a few years back already:

 

[lacerto]

Obsolete.

[languidcorpse]

21 hours ago, GarryP said:

Can you give more details about what you mean by ‘feathering’ a shape or curve”?

A curve is just a geometrical line which passes through a set of points, and a shape is just one or more curves, so I don’t understand how it could be “feathered”, in and of itself.

Also, I can’t tell if your example is what you want or what you have got.

If you could show us what you have (before you have tried your own ‘feathering’), and a visual example of what you want to achieve, then someone can probably help, but we may need more information.

 

 

 

In this PSD I have a shape (vector) behind my text. In the bottom I have set the feathering (live) to 12 px. This demonstration is not subtle, but this effect/technique is powerful and versatile when you need a bit of subtlety. It is also excellent for, masks, custom vignettes, sunlight, special FX etc. I use it very much in my work because it is editable. I can go back in and change the color or lighten it etc if I come in the studio tomorrow and think, “too dark” etc.  

Here you can see it in action:

https://youtu.be/BXXfRHBnaFA?si=AtcyoqZJDz-ApWOr

 

Edited January 28 by languidcorpse
Adding link.

[languidcorpse]

20 hours ago, NotMyFault said:

You can add a Gaussian blur filter on any shape. This works well for shapes with solid fill colors.

In case of shapes filled with bitmap fills or fine details, you need to restrict the blur filter to the alpha channel, based on the tutorial below:

 

Thanks for the input but as I said, "While maintaining the vector data." I did try these and they rasterize my layer. 

Thanks 

[languidcorpse]

19 hours ago, NotMyFault said:

Just found a better solution:

1. Duplicate the layer you want to feather 
2. nest one to the other in masking position 
3. add live Gaussian blur in masking position of inner
4. Adjust strength to taste
5. in my experiments the alpha values did not reach 0 to 100 but only a subset of this range. To correct:
6. add a channels mixer above child layers
7. choose alpha channel 
8. set offset to -100%
9. set alpha input to 200%

now the feather works as wanted.

The file shows a 1px checkered board above a blue fill layer. You can feather the shape from hard edge to soft 

tutorial live feather mask.afphoto 17.65 kB · 0 downloads

Trying this now but not sure Im doing it correctly. Also it seems like a bit of a wonky workaround to be repeating often. But thanks again. 

Ah Ok, I just now saw your file! Thanks! It does work, although as I said it is quite a workaround if I were to try and do something like sun rays where I might have many shapes. Seems like it could get difficult to manage. But this is a brilliant workaround for things like text where I would have one layer.

Thanks.

[languidcorpse]

20 hours ago, lacerto said:

No, it is not possible in the sense that is possible e.g. in InDesign where you can apply feathering on shapes, strokes and text and retain editability, without causing rasterization.

 

feathered.pdf 31.61 kB · 2 downloads

Yes, sadly I believe this to be the case. (edit: It is possible see below.)

[languidcorpse]

18 hours ago, loukash said:

Adobe PDF export is simply classes better than Affinity's PDFlib which is mediocre at best, pathetic at worst. Sad but true.
I've explored similar issues a few years back already:

 

I'm certainly not here to bash Affinity. I do wish they would step up the game in terms of some core functions. The vector manipulation is behind in core everyday functionality. I love the UI and so many things about it but it seems that when I try to use it on a job I always hit something. And Im talking about straightforward layer and image manipulation. I mean Designer is a vector program. Every update is painful as I see things which seem so fluff and special case specific when there are bigger issues.

(Although in this case it was only my ignorance of the software. :P)

 

Edited January 28 by languidcorpse
Solved see below!

[loukash]

1 hour ago, languidcorpse said:

In the bottom I have set the feathering (live) to 12 px.

Well, this kind of feathering is a no-brainer in Affinity, too.
There are a few different workflows to achieve the same goal, e.g. the Gaussian Blur layer effect:

[loukash]

In Publisher, you can achieve a similar effect with paragraph decoration, without even adding a background ellipse:

[languidcorpse]

14 minutes ago, loukash said:

Well, this kind of feathering is a no-brainer in Affinity, too.
There are a few different workflows to achieve the same goal, e.g. the Gaussian Blur layer effect:

OMG! I love you! We have a winner!!! Thanks you so very much!!!
Yes! Yes! Yes!!!

"And soon I shall have understanding of video cassette recorders and car telephones. And when I have understanding of them, I shall have understanding of computers. And when I have understanding of computers, I shall be the Supreme Being!"

[lacerto]

Obsolete.

[languidcorpse]

1 minute ago, lacerto said:

Sorry, my judgement was premature. Earlier when I tried this with Gradient tool, shapes and text, my PDF exports were rasterized, but not when I just tested this again (it is only if transparencies are flattened using PDF/X-1a or PDF/X-3).

feathering_simulation_on_bitmap.pdf 14.83 MB · 0 downloads

feathering_simulation_on_vectors.pdf 5.82 MB · 0 downloads

No worries! I was also quick to think it was not possible. Im glad we were wrong!

[prophet]

22 minutes ago, languidcorpse said:

"And soon I shall have understanding of video cassette recorders and car telephones. And when I have understanding of them, I shall have understanding of computers. And when I have understanding of computers, I shall be the Supreme Being!"

A rare treat to find a Time Bandits reference. A childhood favorite of mine.

[thomaso]

36 minutes ago, lacerto said:

Sorry, my judgement was premature. Earlier when I tried this with Gradient tool, shapes and text, my PDF exports were rasterized, but not when I just tested this again

Do I misunderstand your result or @languidcorpse's desire ? – To me both your PDF examples appear to get rasterized, for instance the vector version:

Whereas to me a soft edged / feathered shape behind text appears to be possible without rasterization with a gradient and a colour with 0% opacity (optionally + blend mode multiply):

v1105 blurred NO raster.afpub

v1105 blurred NO raster x-4.pdf

[lacerto]

Obsolete.

[languidcorpse]

20 minutes ago, thomaso said:

Do I misunderstand your result or @languidcorpse's desire ? – To me both your PDF examples appear to get rasterized, for instance the vector version:

Whereas to me a soft edged / feathered shape behind text appears to be possible without rasterization with a gradient and a colour with 0% opacity (optionally + blend mode multiply):

v1105 blurred NO raster.afpub

v1105 blurred NO raster x-4.pdf 389.56 kB · 0 downloads

Maybe, I have not mentioned PDFs nor do I normally use them in my art workflow.

[lacerto]

Obsolete.

[lacerto]

Obsolete.

[lacerto]

Obsolete.

[thomaso]

4 hours ago, languidcorpse said:

Thanks for the input but as I said, "While maintaining the vector data." I did try these and they rasterize my layer.

1 hour ago, languidcorpse said:

Maybe, I have not mentioned PDFs nor do I normally use them in my art workflow.

Does this mean that your thread is not about rasterizing during export but rather about the Affinity document before an export? ... I haven't tried @NotMyFault's workflow but if you don't use PDF I wonder why the various available non-destructive methods for blurring don't work for … as long you keep them non-destructive (e.g. as separate layer or layer effect)?

On 1/27/2024 at 2:16 PM, languidcorpse said:

For example:  a feathered box behind text to dim a competing background image.

When does this become rasterized or lose editability in your Affinity workflow?