Applying 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.
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Merge mode
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Description
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Normal
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Applies the transparency color on top of the base color
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Add
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Adds the values of the transparency color and the base color
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Subtract
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Adds the values of the transparency color and the base color together, and then subtracts 255
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Difference
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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.
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Multiply
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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.
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Divide
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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
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If lighter
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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.
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If darker
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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.
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Texturize
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Converts the transparency color to grayscale, and then multiplies the grayscale value by the base color
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Hue
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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.
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Saturation
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Uses the lightness and hue of the base color and the saturation of the transparency color
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Lightness
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Uses the hue and saturation of the base color and the lightness of the transparency color
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Invert
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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.
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Logical AND
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Converts the transparency and base colors to binary values, and then applies the Boolean algebraic formula AND to these values
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Logical OR
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Converts the transparency and base colors to binary values, and then applies the Boolean algebraic formula OR to these values
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Logical XOR
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Converts the transparency and base colors to binary values, and then applies the Boolean algebraic formula XOR to these values
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Red
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Applies the transparency color to the red channel of RGB objects
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Green
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Applies the transparency color to the green channel of RGB objects
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Blue
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Applies the transparency color to the blue channel of RGB objects
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To apply a merge mode to a transparency
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1.
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In the toolbox, click the Transparency tool  . |
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2.
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Select an object with a transparency. |
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3.
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Choose a merge mode from the Transparency operation list box on the property bar.
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Applying merge modes