Designer-Making the background (not layer) a different color

[twojtyniak]

I have some files that have white text on a transparent background. With the default pattern for transparent backgrounds I cannot see the white text when working unless I change to outline mode. Please allow changing the default background color so to allow for more conveniently work with this type of file.

[dominik]

12 hours ago, twojtyniak said:

I have some files that have white text on a transparent background. With the default pattern for transparent backgrounds I cannot see the white text when working unless I change to outline mode. Please allow changing the default background color so to allow for more conveniently work with this type of file.

 

Hello twojtyniak,

 

welcome to the forums 

 

I am not quite sure if it makes sense to give something that is transparent a different colour. It then would no longer be transparent and perhaps even a source for mistakes on export.

As you already point out in the subject you can very easily add temporarily a solid color layer under the textlayer while you are working. Once you are finished you either disable that layer or even delete it.

 

From my point of view there is no need to change anything in Designer in this regard.

 

Cheers,

d.

 

[twojtyniak]

I appreciate the response, d. I certainly don't want to have to add a layer every time I want to work on the file. That is a waste of time. The issue is that the gray and white checkerboard that shows as "transparent" is too light to work well with white lettering that shows up frequently in my projects. If it was black and white it might be okay, but the light gray and white very specifically doesn't work well in my situation. My request is to allow the user to specify what the "transparent" background looks like. Much like other apps let you choose a color for the background or masking that works for the specific project. Or perhaps change it to black and white, which would likely be good in more situations. Examples of how the issue presents itself attached.

[Alfred]

3 minutes ago, twojtyniak said:

I certainly don't want to have to add a layer every time I want to work on the file.

 

As @dominik pointed out, you can disable the layer when you don't need it; likewise, you can enable it when you do need it. Having added the layer once, all you need to do is check or clear its visibility checkbox in the Layers panel.

[twojtyniak]

I'd rather not leave that debris layer in my files, as I export them to many different formats and distribute them on a regular basis. I accept that as a workaround. I judge that the friendliest thing for the user is to let them choose, or use something that is more universal, like the black and white pattern would be.

[Medical Officer Bones]

Actually, many other design applications feature a similar option. InDesign has a page colour swatch: important for DTP work to see your work in context when the output needs to occur on coloured paper. Promotion NG (pixel art / animation) has a special background panel to control the background colour - important for the context. PhotoLine in Document mode similarly offers a special background colour with optional transparency. Krita has a dedicated image background colour setting that controls both the colour and transparency level too.

I completely agree with @twojtyniak here: it is VERY useful to have such a general canvas/background colour setting independent from the layers. I regularly change these settings myself depending on the context of the project at hand.

A solid colour layer is a somewhat meager work-around. It is not the same. Otherwise all those other design apps wouldn't include this option, because it is very practical to have.

[dominik]

11 hours ago, twojtyniak said:

Much like other apps let you choose a color for the background or masking that works for the specific project. Or perhaps change it to black and white, which would likely be good in more situations.

Hi @twojtyniak,

 

I agree that this would be a nice (or nifty?) enhancement of the program. To me, personally, it is not of big importance and I do not mind to use an extra layer as a workaround. But everyone has one's own workflow and there is nothing to argue about 

 

I see ADe's and APh's option dialog growing in the future 

 

d.