opacity question.

[eric1223]

Hi. I have a question about using opacity with group and switch layers.

I have a switch layer, which my storyboard is timed. each picture displays at a certain time. But the switch layer has to be on top of everything so i can trace/move things. Also, the switch layer is temporary.

I know you can make layers transparent by right clicking each picture layer, and it would display as such onto the canvas. But is it a way to make the whole switch layer transparent on the canvas just by changing its properties?

If there isn't, is there another way to have storyboard shown on top?

[slowtiger]

All layers in AS have the opacity property. Have a look into the switch layer panel.

[heyvern]

All layers have opacity but it doesn't always display in the workspace. I do not think that switch layer transparency is going to display in the work space preview. Of course it will render.

What you want is to have a "tracing" layer of sorts using a switch layer as a tracing reference and this switch layer has to be on top of all the other layers?

Well, there is not much you can do. Group type layers won't display opacity in the preview. It renders but doesn't display. You will have to set the opacity of the layers INSIDE the switch layers if you need to see through those layers for tracing purposes.

Do you have access to photoshop? How are the storyboard switch images created? If there is a TON of image layers and you don't want to set the opacity of each layer in Anime Studio, you could use photoshop to reduce the whole pile of images transparency with an action. This type of transparency WILL display in Anime Studio.

The images will have to be 32bit PNG files to include the transparency, which could make them larger and effect performance in Anime Studio.

[eric1223]

Thanks you. I don't have photoshop, but I can manage each opacity image. one more question. Is it possible to have the switch layer unclickable? I want to be able to mess with the layers underneath without having to hide the storyboard layer.

[Sanjin]

Noob here. I actually cannot figure out where the opacity option is (as sad as it sounds). Can someone kindly point out for me where do I click to access it? A screenshot would be nice (to avoid me asking again where exactly did you click at).

Just for the record, I'm using AS Pro 8 (in case this thing is different from version to version).

Thank you very much for your help.

[slowtiger]

Click on a layer tab - then there's a textbox for the opacity value.
If you want to animate it, first check "Allow animated layer effects".

[Sanjin]

Thank you kindly for your reply, slowtiger sir.

I believe I did that – I double-clicked on the layer I want to modify, which in return opened a new dialogue box for me titled Layer Settings. In Layer Settings, under General, and then Compositing Effects (animated), I changed my opacity; however, this does not seem to affect opacity of my object/drawing at all.

What am I doing wrong?

P. S. I wanted to include a screen shot of my AS, so I can show you exactly which window I have open, but as it appears, I don't know how to post pics here either. Assistance with that would be much appreciated as well.

Thank you.

[Danimal]

You may not see the effect of the opacity until you do a render. In the Preview window it will probably still show as solid.

[Sanjin]

Thank you, Danimal; that explains it – in Preview Mode I can see the actual change. Now, that said, that still does not solve my problem. The main reason why I wanted to change the opacity of my object/drawing was to easier trace the actual image. Perhaps there is a smarter way to approach tracing? If so, I would love to hear about it.

Thank you for your time and help.

[Danimal]

Try View -> Select Tracing Image

This will keep your drawing somewhat transparent so you can see through it as you trace the image.

[Sanjin]

Thank you once again, Danimal. I appreciate the help.