RobinMcL Posted October 29, 2018 Share Posted October 29, 2018 This is a fantastic tool and I am using it a lot in a book where text is on top of a photo and I need to lighten (make more transparent) the photo under the text so that I can see it clearly. There is, however, one additional shape I would like, a rectangle. The text blocks are rectangular and I would like to be able to have a rectangular (actually, a rectangle with curved corners) transparency shape. Currently, I have to use an elliptical shape. Great product. Thanks, Robin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff MEB Posted October 29, 2018 Staff Share Posted October 29, 2018 Hi RobinMcL, There's ways to achieve this. Do you mind attaching a screenshot of you design with the text block over the image so we can build a similar sample file for you? Quote A Guide to Learning Affinity Software | Affinity Quick Reference Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinMcL Posted November 8, 2018 Author Share Posted November 8, 2018 Hello, I responded immediately but now think that I did not do it the correct way and you may not have received my reply. Any assistance in helping me get a round-cornered rectangular transparency box would be great. Cheers, Robin Transparency test.afpub Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff MEB Posted November 9, 2018 Staff Share Posted November 9, 2018 Hi RobinMcL, There's quite a few ways to achieve this. One of the simplest (which doesn't require to touch the image) is to simply place a rounded rectangle below the text with a Gaussian Blur FX applied and the Fill Opacity you want (with the same colour as the document background - white in this case). Open the attached file and take a look at the two layers i've added: one is a copy of an existing block of text that i then moved to the left page and below there's a white rounded rectangle with an Gaussian Blur FX applied - double-click the FX icon in the Layers panel in front of the rectangle layer: the Radius value controls the feathering around the rectangle border, the Fill Opacity control (on the bottom right of the dialog) controls the opacity of the whole FX effect - use it to make the rectangle more or less opaque. Additionally if you select the rectangle and go to the context toolbar on top you can change the type of corner (rounded, straight, concave etc) and the percentage on the curvature applied to the corners. I've placed the rectangle a little arbitrarily below the text - if you want more precision/control over it's position, make it the same size as the text frame then add a white stroke (setting the width you want) to ensure the blur spreads evenly around the text frame. Transparency test_MEB.afpub To change the colour of the text to black on the right page on top, select that text frame, go to the Fill colour well in the context toolbar and set it to black. jmwellborn 1 Quote A Guide to Learning Affinity Software | Affinity Quick Reference Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinMcL Posted November 9, 2018 Author Share Posted November 9, 2018 Utterly brilliant!! I have been struggling with this problem for over a year (PhotoPlus, PagePlus, then Photo and Publisher). You have solved the problem for me. Many, many thanks. I hope there will be a book for Publisher. The one for Photo is very helpful indeed. Robin jmwellborn and MEB 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.