# 3853- 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. Corel applications 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 use the Bitmap Color Mask to make
black transparent, the bitmap appears to take on the shape of the text only.  The bitmap retains its
original rectangular shape, but it will print and display without the black background.

Working with Transparent Bitmaps in CorelDRAW™ 8 for Macintosh® 

Bitmap Color Mask
The Bitmap Color Mask allows specific colors to be hidden in a bitmap that has been imported
onto a CorelDRAW 8 for Macintosh page.  However, the Bitmap Color Mask will not work with
black and white images.

1.  Import the bitmap image.
2.  Click the bitmap with the Pick tool.
3.  Click Bitmaps, Bitmap Color Mask.
4.  Click Hide Colors from the list box.
5.  Click the Color Eyedropper tool, and move it over the bitmap.
6.  Click the color to remove.  The color appears in the Bitmap Color Mask.
7.  Enable the check box next to the color you selected, and click Apply.

Note:  Adjust the tolerance as desired using the slider provided.  Increasing the tolerance removes
a broader range of colors around the color selected.  For example, clicking baby blue and
increasing tolerance, will remove pastel blue, electric blue, and so on.

Creating irregular shaped bitmaps
Bitmaps that are imported into CorelDRAW 8 for Macintosh can be cropped using the Shape tool
to give them irregular shapes.

1.  Import the bitmap image.
2.  Select the bitmap with the Pick tool.
3.  With the Shape tool, click the edge of the bitmap you would like to change.  A dot will appear.
4.  Press the + key on the keyboard and a new node will appear on the edge of the bitmap.
5.  This node can be moved with the Shape tool, to change the shape of the bitmap.

Note:   The bitmap will retain its cropped shape if exported from CorelDRAW 8 for Macintosh.

Removing Bitmap Backgrounds using the PhotoPAINT 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 Object from copy Selection
5.  Save the file as a Corel PHOTO-PAINT 7/8 Image.
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 8, 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 file.
4.  In the EPS Export Options, enable the Include Header. Under Clipping, select Save, select
Image Enclosed by Mask, and enable 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.  Click File, Import.  Use the PostScript Interpreted filter (*.PS). 

Mask Method:
1.  In Corel PHOTO-PAINT 8, 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.
 
Transparent Bitmaps Using the "Convert To" Option
Graphics that are created in CorelDRAW 8 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.


Power Clipping bitmaps
Objects in can be placed into a container or shapes using the PowerClip effect.  These shapes can
be used to hide the background of bitmaps in a manner similar to cropping with the Shape tool. 
Any portion of the bitmap that lies outside of the shape will be invisible or transparent.  The main
idea would be to create a shape that is identical to the shape of the image.

1.  Import the bitmap image.
2.  Create a shape with no fill and a closed path; i.e. An ellipse or rectangle, not a line.
3.  Click the bitmap with the Pick tool.
4.  Click Effects, PowerClip, Place Inside Container, and click the shape with the large black
pointer.
5.  To position the image within the shape click Effects, PowerClip, Edit Contents, and move the
image with the pointer to the correct location.
6.  When finished click Effects, PowerClip, Finish Editing This Level.
7.  Click the Outline tool, and set the outline on the PowerClip object to none.

The image can now be placed onto other objects and will appear to have a transparent
background.