- Modules
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- Generating Auto-Matte Layers
Generating Auto-Matte Layers
T-SBFND-008-019
The Generate Auto-Matte dialog box enables you to quickly fill in sketch objects, hiding anything that is behind the object. You can create new layers by applying Generating Auto-Matte to selected vector layers.
When sketching characters with a background in Storyboard Pro, the characters need to be filled in to hide the drawing that is behind them. With sketches, using the Paint Unpainted tool is not convenient because of holes and lines in the drawing. Using the Brush tool with the Draw Behind option can be time consuming. Having the ability to automate this process speeds up storyboarding.
When an auto-matte layer is generated, all Source Layer parameters (Alignment, Export option, and Animation ) are copied to the matte layer except for opacity, which is set to 100%.
The name of the matte layer corresponds to the name of the source layer with added suffix "_Matte".
How to Generate Auto-Matte layers
- Select one or multiple layers on which the matte should be generated. The menu is grayed-out if there are no selected layers or none of the selected layers are non-empty vector layers. You may select multiple layers in one panel, or select multiple layers in multiple panels.
- Select Layer > Generate Auto-Matte.
- Select the required settings
- Click OK.
The new layer with generated matte is created and placed below the selected layer.
NOTE:If a matte layer already exists, a dialog box will give you the following options:
- Replace the existing matte layer.
- Keep Both matte layers.
If this happens for multiple layers, selecting the Apply to All check box enables you to apply your decision to all layers without being prompted again during matte generation.
How to create a shortcut key for Generate Auto-Matte
- Select Edit > Preferences (Windows) or Stage > Preferences (Mac OS X).
- Select the Shortcuts tab.
- In the Name list, select Layer > Generate Auto-Matte.
- Define the shortcut.
- Click OK.
Time Estimated 5 mins
Difficulty Level Beginner
Topics List
- About Drawing Tools
- Drawing with the Brush Tool
- About the Centerline Editor
- Drawing with the Pencil Tool
- Drawing with Bitmap Brushes
- Erasing with Hard and Soft Erasers
- Using the Light Table
- Reshaping with the Contour Editor Tool
- Cutting
- Drawing with the Polyline Tool
- About Colour Swatches
- Changing the Current Colour
- Adding Colour Swatches
- Painting
- Importing Images
- About the Onion Skin
- Setting the Onion Skin
- Flipping through Onion-skinned Drawings
- Activity 1: Using Onion Skin on Layers with the Same Name
- Editing Artwork on Multiple Panels
- Copying Artwork on Multiple Panels
- Activity 2: Drawing Scenes
- Generating Auto-Matte Layers
- Activity 3: Generating an Auto-Matte
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