How to Use the Transparency Tool in CorelDraw

In this tutorial we will go through a variety of exercises to demonstrate how to use the Transparency tool and how to adjust the various settings for each type of transparency.

The Transparency tool can be found in the Toolbox on the left-hand side of the interface, above the Eyedropper tool. It looks like a black and white checkerboard . Once the tool is activated you will notice that the Property bar along the top changes to show the transparency types. When a transparency type is selected, the Property bar will display additional options.

There are 5 types of transparencies:

• Uniform
• Fountain
• Vector pattern
• Bitmap pattern
• Two-color pattern/texture

For each transparency type you can apply a Merge Mode, which will specify how the color of a transparency is combined with the color of the object behind it. Each transparency type also has a Transparency Picker, which allows you to select from different styles of transparency. You can apply a transparency to the fill of an object, the outline of an object or both. You can also adjust the opacity of the transparency and edit more details about the transparency.

How to Apply a Uniform Transparency

For Instance: T-shirt Mockup
In our first exercise we are going use a uniform transparency to make a t-shirt mockup look more realistic. Often a white or solid color design placed on a t-shirt photo will look like a sticker just stuck on there. We can apply a transparency effect to give the appearance that the logo is actually printed on the garment. Select the Transparency tool and then select Uniform Transparency in the Property bar. Adjust the Transparency slider to 15

With a slight transparency, the logo is a little less opaque and looks like it is inked on the garment. If you want to see the difference, click on the No Transparencyicon to remove the transparency, then click on the Uniform Transparency icon to re-apply the transparency. The effect is slight, but enough to make the t-shirt mockup look realistic.

Example 2: Adding a Color Cast to a Photo

Another use of uniform transparency is to add a color cast to a photo, in this case a photo being used for a musician’s Facebook cover image. Select the image, hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and double-click the Rectangle tool. This will create a rectangle the same size as the photo. Next, choose a dark forest green on the Color palette and your rectangle will be filled with that color. Now let’s add our transparency. With the green rectangle selected, activate the Transparency tool and then click the Uniform Transparency icon. You can adjust the opacity using the Transparency slider to get the look you want.

How to Apply a Fountain Transparency

Adding a Highlight to a Graphic
In this exercise, we are going to use a fountain transparency to add a highlight to two different graphic images: a button for a website and a light bulb. A fountain transparency is a gradient that fades from white (less transparent) to black (more transparent). On our web button we have the red button shape and a solid white shape on top. Applying a fountain transparency will make the white shape look like a highlight.

Select the white shape with the Pick tool then activate the Transparency tool. You can select the Fountain Transparency icon in the Property bar, or simply click and drag inside the white shape from the top down to the bottom. The fountain transparency is applied, softening the bottom edge so that it looks like it’s fading into the button. You can tweak it by dragging on the black handle to adjust the fading edge to make it just right.

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