Using Draw Modes

By default, tools are set to Paint draw mode, which applies the current color to the image on the screen. By changing the draw mode, you can use Paint tools to create varying effects.

You can also use the color mode buttons in the Paint Controls, which, in addition to enabling you to create a solid object, allow you to create a color or opacity gradient, reveal through to another layer, and use cloning.

These topics are discussed in Paint: Advanced Drawing Tools.

Use draw modes to apply effects either as you paint or to an existing object. Many draw modes are similar to the effects available in the Effects menu, but differ in application: a draw mode is an attribute of a Paint object; an effect is applied to a selection or to the whole Paint branch.

When you apply a draw mode to a selected object, the draw mode applies an effect to whatever objects exist under the selected object in the stacking order. The result varies depending on the order of the objects. For example, if you draw an object using the Negative draw mode first, and then draw another one using Tint, the effect would be different than if you had drawn an object in Tint first and then another in Negative mode. Once an object is created, you can modify the draw mode at any time, and experiment with different effects.

For an explanation of the different draw modes, see Draw Modes.

To use a draw mode:

1. In the Modes controls, select a draw mode from the Modes list.



2. Select a brush type from the Brushes palette, select a tool from the Toolbar, and then create an object.

In the active viewport, the object you create modifies underlying objects and images.

To change an object's draw mode:

1. Select the object (Shift-click to select several objects).

The object is highlighted.

2. In the Modes controls, select a mode from the Modes list.

In the active viewport, the selected object applies a different effect to the image.



Note: You can use the Fill command in the Selection menu at any time to apply the currently selected draw mode to an entire frame.

Note: To animate draw mode changes, you must use constant interpolation.