Properties of objects > Animated transparency

In the properties window you will find a transparency tab next to virtually all objects. This allows you to assign a specific transparency behavior. So, for example, it is possible to get an image or text to emerge slowly from a black background and subsequently disappear again. You can also get images and texts to appear semi-transparently on top of a previous image.

1. Settings for transparency

Putting dots in the blue field

In order to create the transparency curve for your object, in the properties window, bring up the transparency tab.

A diagram will appear with a blue background, whose y-axis stands for the percentage opacity, whilst the x-axis shows the length of time in seconds. Put one-click points on the space between the axes. The deeper the point is, the greater the transparency of the object will be. If the point is at the level of 100% opacity, the object is not transparent, but completely visible.

You will find the following symbols with which you can influence the transparency curve:

The graph is displayed as a curve, the transparency animation runs smoothly.

The graph is displayed as a having corners, the transparency animation runs jaggedly.

If you clicked on a transparency mark (appears orange), you can delete the marker by clicking on the icon.

If you have you changed the display time of the image or text, by clicking on this button, you can fit the transparency to the display time.

2. Setting the course of the transparency curve

Transparency curve with four points

To set the course of the transparency, create a curve in the diagram. To this end, click in the blue background area. This will set the first point, the curve appears horizontal.

Now you can create more points by clicking with the mouse button. These can be easily moved. Each dot represents a certain amount of transparency, which the object possesses at a certain point.
The strength of the transparency is determined by the height of a point and can be accurately specified in the transparency field.
The timing can be also more accurately determined in the time field.

3. Controlling transparency via the key frame track (Stages only)

In Stages you can control the transparency using the key frame track. Just open the key frame track and click on track for transparency. Again, you have a curve, the ups and downs of which you can control with individual key frames. Values between key frames are automatically calculated (interpolated).

Keyframe track for transparency