Page 299 - Xara Designer Pro X17

Transparency 299

The windshield is created with multiple overlaid objects with different transparency. The
reflection is 100% opaque white in the center fading in an elliptical fashion.

Applying flat transparency

It's called "flat" transparency because all parts of the objects have the same
transparency, as opposed to graduated transparency.

1. Select the object or objects
2. Select the Transparency Tool ("F6")
3. Drag the transparency slider on the InfoBar

Xara Designer Pro X provides live-preview. As you drag the transparency slider the
objects on the document are changed so you can see the effect immediately.

Applying graduated transparency

Graduated transparency works in a very similar way to graduated color fills. You just drag
on the objects in the Transparency Tool to create a fading transparency. You have a very
similar range of transparency shapes, the simplest being linear, but you can also have
circular, elliptical, conical, fractal and bitmap transparencies, and others. To create a
graduated fade:

1. Select the object or objects
2. In the TRANSPARENCY TOOL, drag across the objects to create a linear fade across
the object.
3. Select alternative transparency shapes from the dropdown menu on the InfoBar

You can select and adjust the position and transparency strength using the "fill" handles
shown on the object.

Refer to Fills (on page 289) for more information on manipulating fill handles and the
different fill shapes (in this case transparency shapes)

Multi-stage graduated transparency

Just as you can add multiple stages to a graduated fill, you can do the same with a
graduated transparency. This allows you to fade, for example, from opaque to 50%
transparent then back up to 25% transparent, back to opaque, etc.

You can set the level of transparency at each stage, by selecting a handle and then
adjusting the transparency slider. Add additional stages by double-clicking on the
graduated transparency line then adjusting the slider.

See the Fills chapter (on page 289) for more information on manipulating the handles.