Advanced image compositing using the next DesktopX build

On Shae Petersen suggestion, we implemented bitmap masking in DesktopX. You basically can specify that an object is a "mask", and its children will be blended using the mask alpha blending values.

Here is the new option:

You can use either bitmap or text as a mask. Here is a text object used as mask. It'll be combined with a rectangular object used as texture.

And you only need one script line to let it autofix its mask:

Sub Object_OnScriptEnter
Object.resize DesktopX.Object("tDesktopX").width, DesktopX.Object("tDesktopX").height
End Sub

 

You can do other crazy things: this is how the Neon fish looks used as mask for the same pattern as before. Masks can be animated, so you can imagine really cool effects.

 

Admittedly, one other really useful purpose is creating non-rectangular containers for scrolling DX content.

Here is a player made by Shae Petersen using masks. The mask let the text scroll and clip exactly around the display borders:

 

7,864 views 9 replies
Reply #1 Top
Wow! That is a cool feature - Great (And much needed) addition
Reply #2 Top
Finally!! A sweet edition to DesktopX. I can see a lot of places that could come in handy... *trails off starting to plan a new theme*
Reply #5 Top
Very cool, I wonder if we could use this to mask Active X objects, and or Flash object. Great work Alberto.
Reply #6 Top
Good news!
Reply #7 Top
when is the new build to be out?
Reply #8 Top
Tomorrow probably.
Reply #9 Top
ITS HEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEE TODAY OR ACTUALLYYESTERDAY EVENNING
NOW I HAVE TO FIGURE OUT SCRIPTING,ANAMATIONAND RESIZEING AND AND AND AND AND
BUT I THINK THE EFFECTS WILL BE COOOOOOOOOOOOL