How do I make 1 object semi-transparent?

bwind22 · Post by **bwind22** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 2:06 am

This is an overly simplified example of what I want to accomplish.

I have Anime Studio Debut 6.

3 Layers:
Yellow Ball
Blue Ball
Black background

I want the Blue Ball and the Yellow Ball to bounce around on the black background, but when they overlap, I'd like the overlapping section to show green (the combination of the 2 colors). When they are not overlapping at all, I want them to appear a solid color atop the black background. Is this possible?

Sorry if this is a rookie question or something that isn't even possible. I am really new to this program. I've dinked around with it for the few days I've had it and have gone through the quickstart tutorial but that's about it for my experience.

jonbo · Post by **jonbo** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 3:01 am

Yes this is possible. Double click on the blue or yellow layer in the layer palette. This will call up layer properties window and you can change the opacity for that layer. Something like 50% might give an effect like you described. Repeat on the other layer. You might have to play with layer blending to achieve the color change, also found in the layer properties menu.

sbtamu · Post by **sbtamu** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 3:12 am

I have been trying to do this for awhile and it seems like no combination of layer blending will work. I have managed the layers to blend but for some reason the layer on the bottom turns grey.

bwind22 · Post by **bwind22** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 3:51 am

Thank you! I will fiddle with it and hopefully I can make it work. Much appreciated!

synthsin75 · Post by **synthsin75** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 4:15 am

http://www.mediafire.com/?4a2b48ghkr8n19e

sbtamu · Post by **sbtamu** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 4:18 am

synthsin75 wrote:http://www.mediafire.com/?4a2b48ghkr8n19e

I can not open it in 7 Wes, But if you well send me a sample I am sure I can figure it out.

bwind22 · Post by **bwind22** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 4:27 am

Follow up question....

If I don't want YellowDot layer to show up until a specific point in the film, lets just say I want that layer to appear at Keyframe X, but not before. Is there a way to mute or hide that layer until the exact point I want it to appear?

So far, the only thing I've been able to figure out is to put my objects outside the viewable area until the frame I want them to appear, but I want them to appear right in the center of the frame and not be seen moving from point A (outside the viewable area) to point B (center of screen.)

Is this possible? I'm guessing it is and it's something simple. I'm just too green with this software to figure it out on my own.

jonbo · Post by **jonbo** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 4:46 am

Here you go Stephen, this was made in ASP6 and is what Wes's example is. http://dl.dropbox.com/u/53649091/maskingexample.anme

bwind22: double click on a layer in the layer palette to call up the layer properties menu, there you can turn off and on the layer's visability where you want.

3deeguy · Post by **3deeguy** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 5:03 am

You have to use masking. I made a file to test and I put layers in the following order:
Bone layer Turn on masking
1)green ball
2)blue ball don't mask this layer
3)yellow ball
4)background

I made the green ball match the blue ball in size and keys but you can start with a yellow and a blue ball then duplicate the blue ball layer and change the blue ball to green and then apply the masking properties. You shouldn't have to reduce the layer opacity.

3deeguy · Post by **3deeguy** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 5:10 am

Sorry Jonbo, I should've refreshed the screen before I clicked submit.

sbtamu · Post by **sbtamu** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 5:13 am

Thanks guys

bwind22 · Post by **bwind22** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 7:55 pm

What an awesomely helpful forum. THanks again!

sbtamu · Post by **sbtamu** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 8:11 pm

I was wondering why no combination of layer blending would do this?

slowtiger · Post by **slowtiger** » Sat Dec 24, 2011 8:48 pm

Because the Layer Blending would not know that you want the colour mix only on the intersection of balls, but nowhere else.