Pattern transparency

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There are three types of pattern transparency: vector pattern, bitmap pattern, and two-color pattern.

Vector pattern transparencies are pictures composed of lines and fills, instead of dots of color like bitmaps. These vector graphics are smoother and more complex than bitmap images and are easier to manipulate.

Bitmap pattern transparencies are color pictures composed of patterns of light and dark or differently colored pixels in a rectangular array.

Two-color pattern transparencies are simple pictures composed of "on" and "off" pixels. The only shades included in the picture are the two that you assign.

From left to right: Original object with a vector pattern, bitmap-pattern, and two-color pattern transparency applied.

You can choose pattern transparencies from a personal or shared library. You can browse the available transparency patterns, search by keyword, mark patterns as favorites, and sort patterns. You can also download additional fill packs, which can be used as transparency patterns. For more information, see Find and view fills and transparencies.

You can modify pattern transparencies to suit your needs.

You can also create your own patterns. For example, you can create patterns from areas of the workspace or images that you import. Vector and bitmap patterns are made up of smaller units called tiles. Depending on the size of the object, the transparency may consist of one or more tiles. The pattern is created by repeating the tile to fill up the object.

After you modify or create a pattern transparency, you can save it for future use. For more information, see Save fills and transparencies.

To apply a vector or bitmap pattern transparency

For information about how to find transparencies in the Transparency picker, see To find, filter, and sort fills and transparencies.

To apply the transparency only to the fill or the outline of the object, click the Fill button or the Outline button .

You can also click the Transparency tool in the toolbox and use the controls on the property bar.

To modify a vector or bitmap transparency

 

To	Do the following
Arrange the tiles so that alternating tiles are reflections of each other	Click the Mirror tiles horizontally or the Mirror tiles vertically button.
Create a radial or linear seamless blend	Click the Radial blend button , or click the Linear blend button and move the slider. This setting applies only to bitmap pattern transparency.
Smooth the color transition of the pattern tile edges with their opposite edge	Enable the Edge match check box, and type a value in the box. This setting applies only to bitmap pattern transparency.
Increase or decrease the brightness of the pattern	Enable the Brightness check box, and type a value in the box. This setting applies only to bitmap pattern transparency.
Increase or decrease the grayscale contrast of the pattern.	Enable the Luminance check box, and type a value in the box. This setting applies only to bitmap pattern transparency.
Increase or decrease the color contrast of the pattern	Enable the Color check box, and type a value in the box. This setting applies only to bitmap pattern transparency.
Set the width and height of the transparency as a percentage of the object’s width and height	Type values in the Transparency width and Transparency height boxes.
Move the center of the transparency up, down, left, or right	Type values in the X and Y boxes.
Rotate the transparency at a specified angle	Type a value in the Rotate box.
Slant the transparency at a specified angle	Type a value in the Skew box.
Specify row or column offset as a percentage of the tile’s height or width	Click the Row offset or the Column offset button , and type a value in the % of tile box.
Apply object changes to the transparency	Enable the Transform with object check box.

To save the edited transparency, click the Save as new button .

You can also change the size of pattern tiles by clicking the Transparency tool , selecting an object, and using the controls on the property bar.

You can also skew or rotate tiles by clicking the Transparency tool , selecting an object, and dragging the skewing or rotation handles to change the appearance of the pattern.

To apply a two-color pattern transparency

To apply the transparency only to the fill or the outline of the object, click the Fill button or the Outline button .

To modify the pattern, click the Edit transparency button , and specify the settings you want.

You can also click the Transparency tool in the toolbox and use the controls on the property bar.