Adding nodes The default handles that appear in vector mask edit mode indicate the start and end points of the transparency gradient. For a directional mask (the most basic style), a hollow handle represents the point of 100% transparency, and the solid handle represents the point of 100% opacity. When a vector mask is in edit mode, you can add nodes to set addi- tional opacity levels. The default mask has a start and end point, with a smooth transition from opacity to transparency between the start and end point. When you add nodes, you set the opacity level at each node. To add a node, select the masked object, and then click the vector transparency tool for the mask style to enter edit mode. Point to the mask vector and press Ctrl and click (Mac) or right-click (Windows) on the mask vector. An opacity slider appears. Use the slider to set the opacity level of the new node. Set the slider to 100 to make the mask opaque at the node. Set the slider to 0 to make the mask com- pletely transparent at the node. Select a value between 0 and 100 to make the mask semi-transparent at the node. When you edit rectangular or elliptical vector mask styles, you can add nodes to the horizontal vector that joins the inner box (which rep- resents the area of 100% opacity) to the object’s bounding box. When you edit radial mask styles, you can add nodes to the circle, which represents the 360 degree sweep of the mask. Editing values in the Transparency palette You can change values in the Transparency palette to make precise changes to a vector mask. When you change the mask settings, Can- vas updates the mask handles to match the current position values. Nodes (small circles) let you set several opacity levels in a directional vector mask Use the pop-up opacity slider to set the opacity level of a node. You can add a series of nodes for additional control of a trans- parency mask. Setting node opacity Directional Rectangular
Canvas 8 Help: SpriteLayer effects (18 of 24)                                                       Page #372