# 3459 - Transparent Bitmaps When a bitmap image is used in desktop publishing applications, it is usually in the shape of rectangle. This does not have to be the case when using Corel applications because there are several different ways of making the background pixels of the image transparent so that the graphics laying behind the image will show through the bitmap. Eliminating a color can also alter the apparent shape of the bitmap. For example: if the Bitmap Color Mask is applied to the black background of a bitmap containing red text, the bitmap appears to take on the shape of the text only. The bitmap does retain its original rectangular shape, however it will print and display without the black background. This document will outline several methods for creating transparent backgrounds on bitmaps. Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) in Corel PHOTO-PAINTTM and CorelDRAWTM The following method could be used to turn a CorelDRAWTM or Corel PHOTO-PAINTTM 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 as a CompuServe GIF be sure that the Image has been converted to 256 colors . In Corel PHOTO-PAINT 8: 1. Open the bitmap image. 2. Click File, Save As. 3. Select CompuServe Bitmap (GIF) format from the Save As Type list box, and click the Save button. 4. In the Gif Export dialog box enable the Image Color box. Select the eye dropper tool and click on the desired color in the Original preview window and then click on OK. In Corel PHOTO-PAINT 8 there is also an option to select Masked Area. If the image contains a mask, select this option and everything outside the mask will be designated as transparent. Note that the "Transparent Color" can also be changed by clicking on the Color Table button. When the image is imported into an application that does not support GIF transparencies, this will be the background color that is displayed. In CorelDRAW 8: 1. Import the bitmap image into an existing document. 2. Click File, Export. 3. Select the CompuServe Bitmap (GIF) format from the Save As Type list box, and click Export. 4. In the Bitmap Export dialog box select the desired bitmap settings. Internet graphics in the GIF format are usually Paletted (8-bit) with a resolution of 96dpi. Click on the OK button. 5. In the Gif Export dialog box enable the Image Color box. Select the eye dropper tool and click on the desired color in the Original preview window and then click on OK. Note: the Masked Area option is not available when exporting to the GIF file format from CorelDRAW 8. Removing Bitmap Backgrounds using the *.CPT filter Note: This method works best with images that contain backgrounds of a single color. 1. Open the image in Corel PHOTO-PAINT 8. 2. Click on the Mask Tool with the left mouse button and hold. From the Mask fly out select the Magic Wand Mask Tool. 3. Using the Magic Wand Mask Tool, click on the color background on the open image. 4. Click on the Mask menu, and select Invert. 5. Click on the Edit menu, and select Copy. 6. Click on the Edit menu, select Paste, As New Document. Or, click on File, New From Clipboard. 7. Save the file as a Corel PHOTO-PAINT Image (CPT) 8. Import the file into CorelDRAW 8. Removing Bitmap Backgrounds using Clipping Paths/Masks EPS Method: This method does not support CMYK 32 bit color bitmaps. 1. In Corel PHOTO-PAINT 8, open an image. 2. Using the Mask tools, create a Mask around the desired area. 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. 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 8. 8. Import the *.EPS file using the PostScript Interpreted filter (*.PS). Note: If the EPS file is imported as Encapsulated Postscript, the background will not be transparent on the display. This is only the header of the EPS file. The background will print as transparent when output to a Postscript device. Mask Method: 1. In Corel PHOTO-PAINT 8, open an image. 2. Using the Mask tools, create a Mask around the desired area. 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 8, the unmasked area of the image will be transparent. Removing Bitmap Backgrounds using the Shape Tool: Bitmaps that are imported into CorelDRAW 8 can have their rectangular backgrounds cropped, by editing their shape using the Shape tool. 1. Import the bitmap into CorelDRAW 8. 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 + button found on the property bar. 5. The newly created node(s) can be moved with the Shape tool to crop 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 8 can be easily converted to bitmaps. 1. Click the Graphic using the Pick tool. 2. Click Bitmap menu, 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. It can't make the background of an existing bitmap transparent.