Post by Deftware in Multiple Text Layers

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Hi Joe,

You need to change how your layers are blending together for the medial-axis carve. Just change your canvas' Z-Fill in the Canvas Properties to the top of the canvas and then change the blend mode for all of your text-layers from the default "Maximum" to "Subtractive". Everything is a height value and it's mathematically adding all of the layers up using the chosen blend mode for each layer.

As for vertical spacing: I have been trying to figure a painless way to integrate multi-line text editing in there but there are some obstacles to overcome but that's been the plan for now, so that you don't need to use multiple text-layers for multi-line text. I'll keep working on that after the new update goes out soon :)

- Charlie

valhallaCNC3 years ago (1 edit)

Charlie..

It did not work the way you suggested. However I set it up with canvas Z-fill to 0. Then I set each text layer with Z fill to top in this case .75 , inverted was checked and I used blend mode set to Difference. That let all layers be visible at the same time. I was able to set the cut on one operation. This was an add-on font, it looks like some fonts want a different setup, I used 2 different fonts one I had to invert and Z-fill differently to get it to work. I keep forgetting about the blend mode, I'm not 100% sure on its effects I'll have to work on that . You got me pointed in the right direction.

Thanks Joe...

Deftware3 years ago

It sounds like you had some properties that were non-default on your layers that were interfering, but if you have default parameters on your layers Z-fill and invert then it's the quick and easy way to create a canvas where the text are pockets instead of islands when creating a new project from scratch. I'd suggest trying it again and make sure everything is set properly because it's important to have an understanding how/why things work the way they do.

Canvas Z-Fill to top of canvas
Layer's Z-Fill to bottom (default for new layers)
Layer's Invert disabled (default for new layers)
Layer's Remove Bottom disabled (default for new layers)
Layer's Blend mode set to Subtractive

The text-layers are "white on black" for their heightmaps and all that needs to happen is they are subtractively combined with a canvas that has a Z-fill to the top of the canvas. You could also use the Difference blending mode but it can be a little less intuitive when manipulating layers with different Z origins and Z sizes, but it will be functionally the same if your canvas Z-fill is to the top of your canvas and your layers occupy the full depth or height of your canvas (Z origin is at bottom of canvas and Z size is same as canvas).

I'm wrapping up a fix and updating the User Guide and aim to have v1.58b out by the end of the day :)

- Charlie

itch.io

Viewing post in Multiple Text Layers