# 3404 - Transparent Bitmaps
When a bitmap image is used in desktop publishing applications, it is usually in the shape of
rectangle, because it is a raster image. This does not have to be the case when using Corel
applications because we have several different ways of making the background pixels of the image
transparent so that the graphics behind will show through the bitmap.  Eliminating a color can also
alter the apparent shape of the bitmap.  For example, if you have a bitmap with red text with a
black background and the Bitmap Color Mask is applied to make black transparent, the bitmap
appears to take on the shape of the text only.  The bitmap actually retains its original rectangular
shape, but it will print and display without the black background.  This document will outline
several methods for creating transparent backgrounds or bitmaps.

Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) in Corel PHOTO-PAINT(TM)  and CorelDRAW(TM) 

You may wish to use a graphic that was created in CorelDRAW  or Corel PHOTO-PAINT  in
another application (or the World Wide Web), the following method could be used to turn a
CorelDRAW or Corel  PHOTO-PAINT graphic into a bitmap image (CompuServe GIF) with a
transparent background. A bitmap image can be saved as a GIF file with a transparent
background. When saving the file be sure that the Image has been converted to 256 colors and
saved as CompuServe GIF. 

In Corel PHOTO-PAINT 7 or CorelDRAW 7:

1.  Open or Import the bitmap image.
2.  Click File, Save As, or File, Export.
3.  Click CompuServe Bitmap (GIF) from the Save As Type list box, and click Save.
4.  Enable the 89a Format check box, and check Transparent Color.  Choose the color of the
background: with most files select palette entry #215 which is usually white.

Note: When importing or opening this file in CorelDRAW 7 or Corel PHOTO-PAINT 7, it will
appear to have lost the transparency effect. By opening this file in other applications that support
transparent colors (such as Web Browsers) the transparency effect will then be shown.  In build
467 of CorelDRAW 7, Gif89a transparencies are recognized in CorelDRAW. Imported Gif89a
files will not display the transparent color.

Bitmap Color Mask
The Bitmap Color Mask RollUp allows specific colors to be hidden in a bitmap that has been
imported onto CorelDRAW.  However, the Bitmap Color Mask RollUp will not work with black
and white images.

Using the Bitmap Color Mask: 
1.  Import the bitmap image.
2.  Click the bitmap with the Pick tool.
3.  Click Effects, Bitmap Color Mask.
4.  Click Hide Colors from the Selection list box.
5.  Click the Color Selector tool (eyedropper).
6.  Move the Color Selector tool over the bitmap and click the color you want to remove.  The
color will appear in the Bitmap Color Mask RollUp.
7.  Enable the check box next to the color you selected.
8.  Click Apply.

Note 1: Adjust the tolerance using the slider provided. As you increase the tolerance,
CorelDRAW removes a broader range of colors around the color selected.  For example, if baby
blue is clicked and the tolerance increased, CorelDRAW will remove pastel blue, electric blue,
and so on.

Bitmap Color Mask and Floating Objects (from CD-ROM#2):
In order to use the Color Mask on these type objects, the following steps must be performed:

1.  In Corel PHOTO-PAINT, open the desired object from the OBJECTS folder on CD-ROM#2
2.  Click Object, Combine, All Objects With Background.
3.  Click File, Save As.
4.  Save this image as a Corel PHOTO-PAINT 7 Image (CPT).
5.  Launch CorelDRAW 7. 
6.  Click File, Import and locate the CPTfile.
7.  Follow steps 3 through 7 from the above procedure.

Removing Bitmap Backgrounds using the *.CPT filter
Note: This method works best with images that contain backgrounds of a single color.

1.  In Corel PHOTO-PAINT, open the image.
2.  Click the Magic Wand Mask tool, and click the single color background.
3.  Click Mask, Invert.
4.  Click Objects,  Create from Mask.
5.  Save the file as a Corel PHOTO-PAINT Image *.CPT.
6.  Import the file into CorelDRAW.
7.  Click Arrange, Ungroup.
8.  Click the background of the object and delete it.
 
Removing Bitmap Backgrounds using Clipping Paths/Masks
EPS Method:
1.  In Corel PHOTO-PAINT 7, open an image.
2.  Using the Mask tools, create a Mask around the object.  
Note: If using a Clipping Path it is not necessary to create a Mask.
3.  Click File, Save As.  Save the file as Encapsulated PostScript *.EPS.
4.  Click OK to respond to the message, "All Objects will Be Merged with Background"
5.  In the EPS Export Options, enable the Include Header, Save Image Enclosed by Mask, and
Crop Image to Mask Path When Saving check boxes. 

Note: If working with a Clipping Path instead of a Mask, click Save Image Enclosed by Path
instead of Save Image Enclosed by Mask.

6.  Click OK.
7.  Open CorelDRAW 7.  
8.  Import the *.EPS file using the PostScript Interpreted filter (*.PS). 

Mask Method:
Note: This method only applies to build 467 of Corel PHOTO-PAINT 7 and build 662 of Corel
PHOTO-PAINT 7 Plus.

1.  In Corel PHOTO-PAINT 7, open an image.
2.  Using the Mask tools, create a Mask around the object.
3.  Click File, Save As.  Save the file to any one of the following popular file formats: Corel
PHOTO-PAINT (CPT), TIF Bitmap (TIF), Adobe Photoshop (PSD).
4.  When importing this file into CorelDRAW, the unmasked area of the image will be
transparent.
 
Removing Bitmap Backgrounds using the Shape Tool
Bitmaps that are imported into CorelDRAW can have their rectangular backgrounds removed, by
editing their shape using the Shape tool.

1.  Import the bitmap into CorelDRAW 7.
2.  Click the bitmap with the Pick tool, and click the Shape tool.  Nodes will appear around the
bitmap.
3.  Click and drag a node with the Shape tool.  This will bend and crop the image.
4.  To increase the number of nodes around the bitmap, click the desired spot and press the + key. 
5.  The newly created node(s) can be moved with the Shape tool to remove the unwanted
background.

Note:  This bitmap will retain a rectangular shape if exported in a bitmap format. To keep this
effect, save the file as a CDR, CMX or an EPS file.  To import the EPS file into CorelDRAW,
you must use the Postscript Interpreted (PS) filter, instead of the EPS filter.

Transparent Bitmaps Using the "Convert To" Option
Graphics that are created in CorelDRAW 7 can be easily converted to bitmaps.

1.  Click the Graphic with the Pick tool.
2.  Click Bitmap, Convert To
3.  This dialog box gives you the option to set the colors, resolution, dithering, anti-aliasing as
well as make the background transparent.  
4.  Enable the Transparent background check box.

Note: This transparency feature will only make a white background transparent. It does not give
the option to choose another color to make transparent.