Appendix - Blend Modes

Menu Editor (Color tab, Transparency section)

The Blend Mode defines how an object is combined with other objects, such as the background image underneath it. Blending modes are a useful tool for image/object composing in the hands of an experienced DVD Author and a fun tool for artistic experimentation.


The Transparency Mix Control


Normal

The default mode and the most often used blend mode. It simply blends the objects with a transparency value set by the Transparency Mix.

Multiply

Multiplies the background and the object color. The resulting color is always darker. Multiplying any color with black produces black. Multiplying any color with white leaves the color unchanged. The effect is similar to looking at two overlapping slides.

Difference

Subtracts either the Object color from the background or the background color from the Object color, depending on which is brighter.

Screen

Multiplies the inverse of the objects and background. The resulting color is always lighter than the background or object. Screening with black leaves the color unchanged. Screening with white produces white. The effect is similar to projecting two slides on the same screen.

Overlay

Combines Multiply and Screen modes - depending on the background color. The background color is not replaced, but is mixed with the Object color.

Darken

 

The resulting color is background or Object - whichever is darker.

Lighten

 

The resulting color is background or Object - whichever is lighter.

Hard Light

Multiplies or screens the colors, depending on the Object color. That's the difference from Overlay.
If the Object color is lighter than 50% gray, the image is lightened (screened). If the Object color is darker than 50% gray, the image is darkened (multiplied).

Soft Light

Darkens or lightens the colors, depending on the Object color. The effect is similar to shining a diffused light on the image.
If the Object color is lighter than 50% gray, the image is lightened and if the Object color is darker than 50% gray, the image is darkened.

If Lighter

The Object Color will appear on the areas where the Object is lighter than the Background.

If Darker

The Object will appear on the areas where the Object is darker than the background .

Negative

 

Creates a negative of the background.

 

Tint

The object is more visible on a dark background than on bright background. It will disappear on white!

Colorize

It will take the color from the object but will use the intensity from the background. The background under the object will appear colorized by the color of the object.