CHAPTER
21
USING SPRITEEFFECTS
Canvas introduces a technology for applying effects to objects.
Called SpriteEffects, this technology lets you apply image filters and
adjustments to vector objects, images, text, and grouped objects.
Before SpriteEffects, commands such as Blur, Hue/Saturation,
Invert, Emboss, Twirl, and many others could be applied to paint
objects (images) only. SpriteEffects technology offers new power
and flexibility for creative art, technical illustration, and graphics pro-
duction.
About SpriteEffects
In Canvas, you could always modify objects with image-editing tech-
niques if you converted the objects to images. However, you lost
the ability to edit vector paths and text. Also, applying filters and
adjustments would change an image permanently.
SpriteEffects technology overcomes these problems. You can apply
effects temporarily, adjust effects settings, change the order of
effects, and hide or remove effects individually.
For example, you can apply a blur filter, emboss, and contrast adjust-
ment to an object. You can later change the blur settings, turn off the
emboss effect, and re-order the effects. You dont have to use Undo
or save intermediate versions to preserve an original illustration.
The biggest benefit of SpriteEffects is that objects remain editable.
After you apply effects, you can edit object paths, insert and delete
text, as well as change inks and strokes. In edit mode, you see the
object without effects. When you finish editing, Canvas reapplies the
effects.
When SpriteEffects are printed or exported to file formats outside of
Canvas, the effects are rendered as images. This is like taking a snap-
shot of the objects and printing the resulting image.In your Canvas
documents, the objects keep their original editing features.
Direct effects and lens effects
There are two ways to use SpriteEffects: apply effects commands
directly to objects, or apply effects commands to lens objects.