Transparent Outline

Talk about Pixelmator Pro, share tips & tricks, tutorials, and other resources.
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2021-05-29 20:43:58

I wonder how could I create a transparent text outline that overlaps any other object on another layer (see example of the second 3 over the first one)?

I'm using Pixelmator Pro 2.0.8 Junipero.

Best regards. Thank you! Image
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2021-05-30 10:51:31

I'm not sure if this is what you mean, but if you create two '3's on separate layers, then go to the style tool for the top '3' layer, and bring the stroke up? you might have to also change the alignment of the stroke from 'centre' to 'outside'!
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2021-06-01 11:23:20

by Tali 2021-05-30 07:51:31 I'm not sure if this is what you mean, but if you create two '3's on separate layers, then go to the style tool for the top '3' layer, and bring the stroke up? you might have to also change the alignment of the stroke from 'centre' to 'outside'!
That's probably the quickest way to achieve the look but the stroke itself wouldn't be see-through. So the method would work best for non-transparent images. For transparent images, you'd either want to convert text to pixels and using the Selection tools, select and delete the unnecessary areas of the letters (destructive method), or hide these areas using a layer mask (a nondestructive method).
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2021-06-01 23:21:05

Ok, I've found a smarter way of getting a transparent outline:
1. Create a new project
2. With the text tool, type ‘3’, set the colour to black.
3. Use a bold font (I used Arial black at 660px)
4. Duplicate the ‘3’ and place it where it looks good!
5. On the second (top) ‘3’ add a stroke, my settings being 12px, set to outside.
6. make sure it’s set to white
7. Group the two ‘3’s
8. Set the blend mode of the group to ‘Darken’
9. Add a colour or gradient of your choice to the background layer, this will help you see the transparency.
the final image: Image
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2021-06-03 12:34:53

I haven't really thought about using blend modes. Nice!
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2021-06-09 06:55:41

by Tali 2021-06-01 22:21:05 Ok, I've found a smarter way of getting a transparent outline:
1. Create a new project
2. With the text tool, type ‘3’, set the colour to black.
3. Use a bold font (I used Arial black at 660px)
4. Duplicate the ‘3’ and place it where it looks good!
5. On the second (top) ‘3’ add a stroke, my settings being 12px, set to outside.
6. make sure it’s set to white
7. Group the two ‘3’s
8. Set the blend mode of the group to ‘Darken’
9. Add a colour or gradient of your choice to the background layer, this will help you see the transparency.
the final image: Image
Brilliant stuff. However it's not transparent (alpha) as I need to use the final image with no background.
Thanks a lot!
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2021-06-09 07:30:26

by Aurelija 2021-06-03 11:34:53 I haven't really thought about using blend modes. Nice!
Would it be possible in a future update to include a transparent outline (alpha) option?
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2021-06-12 13:41:13

by João Carlos Osório 2021-06-09 04:30:26
Would it be possible in a future update to include a transparent outline (alpha) option?
I, too, have long wondered if such a feature would be available. After all, it is very handy

Image
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2021-06-14 12:35:23

Looks doable! We'll see if we can add this in future updates. :ok_hand: