Question about Draw => Create Smart Warp Layer

[audiohack1]

Hi,
Very green user here trying out the pro version of the software before deciding to buy. When I use the Create Smart Warp Layer under the Draw menu with png or bmp images, it creates the mesh but the mesh is not transparent and covers the image layer completely. Is there a setting I'm missing? I've tried changing the layer opacity of the warp layer but it doesn't seem to have any effect. I've followed the online example demonstrating the live smart warp mesh, but it's just not working. Any help/suggestions is appreciated! Thanks.

[youtube]https://youtu.be/1OW_KQj4g1M[/youtube]

[synthsin75]

Make sure the transparency option is enabled in the Display Quality (lower right corner of workspace). If all else fails, disable Fills in the Quality Display.

[Greenlaw]

Oh, that's interesting...I always have Transparency enabled in so I never noticed that. Good to know.

@audiohack1, if you're going to leave Transparency disabled, there are two other things you can do:

1. move the mesh layer behind the art layer. Moho doesn't care and it will still work.

or

2. hide the mesh layer. You won't be able to see it (so you can see the art layer beneath it) but when you select it to animate it, the points will be visible. That's all you really need to animate with.

I typically hide the mesh layer until I need to animate it, just so it's less distracting when I'm animating other things. Tip: if you have a bunch of Mesh layers, you can make a Smart Bone to show/hide them all at once.

[audiohack1]

Thanks to both of you for the replies. I did what synthsin75 suggested. What happened was a bit weird. I opened the Display Quality tab. Transparency was greyed out but already checked. I tried toggling it off/on but it wouldn't let me change it (I assume because it was greyed out). However, when I clicked on another option that wasn't greyed out - I'm pretty sure it was Antialiasing - the smart mesh became transparent and everything worked as per the YouTube tutorial/example. I closed the software, reopened and started with a fresh project and the Create Smart Warp Layer worked as expected without having to open the Display Quality tab. But when I do open it, the Transparency option is still greyed out. The GPU acceleration option is also selected, but greyed out. Not sure what to make of it, but the Smart Warp Layer is now working for me!

@Greenlaw, I'll try your methods as well. Thanks.

[Greenlaw]

That's really strange. Maybe it's a GPU issue? What happens when you disable or enable GPU Acceleration? Does the Transparency option become available then? Also, try disabling/enabling GPU inside Preferences to see if that makes any difference.

FYI, I usually leave GPU Acceleration disabled until I really need it. Keeping if off allows certain masking techniques to display more correctly in the display port.

Also, check that you're using the latest drivers for your graphics card.

[audiohack1]

Thanks for the suggestions. Enable GPU is unchecked in Preferences. I've tried Enable GPU both ways and no change in the Transparency option under Display Quality. It's checked but greyed out. It's the same for the GPU Acceleration option - checked but greyed out. When Enable GPU is checked in Preferences then I can select/deselect GPU Acceleration under Display Quality, but not Transparency. Maybe it's a GPU issue like you suggested. I'm running a GeForce GTX 1070 laptop card with the latest drivers. It meets the Moho rec specs as far as I can tell, but who knows.

[hayasidist]

Very green user here trying out the pro version of the software before deciding to buy...

is it because it's Demo version??? One limitation of the demo is that "you cannot import any external file formats including images and movies" (manual p 2) - so that might have impact on how auto-triangulate works with a factory-supplied .moho with an image in it????

[audiohack1]

@hayasidist, yes it's the demo version. I just read the part of the manual you pointed out. That could be it too, although I was able to import my own png and bmp files into Image layers and use the smart mesh on them. I just downloaded some random images off the web to try out the smart warp layer feature and they imported into the program using File>Import>General Import. It also worked by importing the same files into the project using the New Layer>Image in the Layers window. It opened up a browser window and allowed me to select any bmp or png files saved on my hard drive.

I'm pretty sure I'll buy Moho when the trial period is up. I'll report back then whether it made a difference or not.

[synthsin75]

I put Moho into demo mode and this problem didn't show up, so I assume it has something to do with your graphics card, even though yours is more than adequate. Maybe a new GPU update is the culprit. I usually only update mine when I find a problem, as new updates can run the risk of introducing bugs.

Also, I can verify that you can import images in demo mode.

[Greenlaw]

Just to be sure, are you on Windows or Mac? Just wondering if this is a Mac or Mac Demo bug. Unfortunately, I can't check Mac here.

I'm on Windows 10 and it works in licensed mode, but I haven't checked yet to see what happens in demo mode.

[audiohack1]

Windows 10

[synthsin75]

I tested demo mode on Windows 10. Didn't see this problem. You might trying rolling back your graphics driver to a previous one.

[SuperSGL]

I see it too turning on GPU greys out Transparency but is still checked on.

[synthsin75]

I see it too turning on GPU greys out Transparency but is still checked on.

Yeah, that's expected.

[Greenlaw]

Yes, I agree with Wes, this is normal behavior. At least, it works this way with Moho 12.5 and earlier too.

I guess when GPU Acceleration is active, transparency is always on; but when it's inactive, transparency is optional.