CorelDRAW Help | Merge modes

Merge modes

You can apply a merge mode to a transparency to specify how the color of a transparency is combined with the color of the object behind it. The following merge modes available for transparencies can also be applied to drop shadows.

Merge mode	Description
Normal	Applies the transparency color on top of the base color
Add	Adds the values of the transparency color and the base color
Subtract	Adds the values of the transparency color and the base color together, and then subtracts 255
Difference	Subtracts the transparency color from the base color and multiplies by 255. If the transparency color value is 0, the result will always be 255.
Multiply	Multiplies the base color by the transparency color, and then divides by 255. This has a darkening effect, unless you are applying color to white. Multiplying black with any color results in black. Multiplying white with any color leaves the color unchanged.
Divide	Divides the base color by the transparency color, or conversely, divides the transparency color by the base color, depending on which color has the higher value
If lighter	Replaces any base color pixels that are a darker color with the transparency color. Base color pixels that are lighter than the transparency color are not affected.
If darker	Replaces any base color pixels that are a lighter color with the transparency color. Base color pixels that are darker than the transparency color are not affected.
Texturize	Converts the transparency color to grayscale, and then multiplies the grayscale value by the base color
Color	Uses the hue and saturation values of the source color and the lightness value of the base color to create a result. This merge mode is the opposite of the Lightness merge mode.
Hue	Uses the hue of the transparency color, as well as the saturation and lightness of the base color. If you are adding color to a grayscale image, there will be no change because the colors are desaturated.
Saturation	Uses the lightness and hue of the base color and the saturation of the transparency color
Lightness	Uses the hue and saturation of the base color and the lightness of the transparency color
Invert	Uses the transparency color’s complementary color. If a transparency color value is 127, there will be no change because the color value falls in the center of the color wheel.
Logical AND	Converts the transparency and base colors to binary values, and then applies the Boolean algebraic formula AND to these values
Logical OR	Converts the transparency and base colors to binary values, and then applies the Boolean algebraic formula OR to these values
Logical XOR	Converts the transparency and base colors to binary values, and then applies the Boolean algebraic formula XOR to these values
Behind	Applies the source color to those areas of the image that are transparent. The effect is similar to looking through the clear, silver-free areas on a 35-mm negative.
Screen	Inverts the source and base color values, multiplies them, and then inverts the result. The result color is always lighter than the base color.
Overlay	Multiplies or screens the source color according to the value of the base color
Soft light	Applies a soft, diffused light to the base color
Hard light	Applies a hard, direct spotlight to the base color
Color dodge	Simulates the photographic technique called dodging, which lightens image areas by decreasing the exposure
Color burn	Simulates the photographic technique called burning, which darkens image areas by increasing the exposure
Exclusion	Excludes the transparency color from the base color. This mode is similar to the Difference mode.
Red	Applies the transparency color to the red channel of RGB objects
Green	Applies the transparency color to the green channel of RGB objects
Blue	Applies the transparency color to the blue channel of RGB objects

To apply a merge mode to a transparency

1 Select an object.

2 In the Properties docker, choose a merge mode from the Merge mode list box in the Transparency area.

You can also click the Transparency tool in the toolbox and choose a merge mode from the Merge mode list box on the property bar.