Copy OBJECTS without other unwanted attributes

[Agrajag]

So I'm working on my playing card project and ran into something unexpected. I have a few layers:

1. A bottom layer that's a template provided by card suppliers to make sure all elements on the card are within the right borders. I mainly have this hidden for work after I get the key pieces in place.

2. A background image layer that has one background image. I only have this layer as it lets me try out different background images and levels of opacity to see what works best.

3. A top layer where I put card numbers, text, suit images, etc.

I got some cards exactly the way I liked them and then, thanks to Brynn's input on getting everything perfectly symmetrical, I decided to "start over" and copied a few objects from the first attempt.

I then ran into something unexpected. Anything I copied over seems to retain some sort of attributes I can't really see. I'd copy the image I got just right in the trial version and paste it onto the canvas of the new version. It looks fine UNTIL I then drag it into place over the background image where even if it's on the top layer it seems to clash with the actual background. Wherever the bounds are of this copied object is, the background would appear darker under it. I can't seem to get rid of that no matter what I do short of completely starting over.

Text that I got JUST right, and can't seem to duplicate now (line spacing in the new version is off by a small margin even though the numbers for it match between versions), for example, looks just like text and if I drag it around the canvas the non-text area of the box it's in is entirely transparent UNTIL it goes over the background. Once I do that, the non-text area seems to double to opacity of the background image. I don't get it.

Is there a way to copy items from all the effort I did on the trial versions and have them just bring over what I anticipate? For example, JUST the text you see, just the image you see and not carry over elements of the old background, etc?

I'm not sure I'm explaining this optimally, but that's due to my ignorance with the app and my not being an artist.

Thanks.

[brynn]

Hi again Agrajag

We might need to see the SVG file, which is set up to show the problem.  But here are a few things you can try first, if you like.

First, you can double-check what's selected, and you didn't accidentally select and/or copy something unintentionally.  I know it sounds silly, but it's a common problem with beginners.

If there's anything with any amount of transparency in the new object being pasted in, you'll see things through it, from what was already in the file  It will make the partially transparent object appear darker.

If the objects are all opaque, then I would think the problem could be with a layer.  Could you have made any layers either partially transparent (Opacity slider in the layers dialog) or maybe you experimented with, or just accidentally set a Blend mode for a layer (it's a dropdown menu just above the Opacity slider).

Or if you haven't been using the Layers dialog, then a Blend mode is probably not likely.  But you can check the Opacity setting for each layer, in the status bar.

Note that if you paste anything into, or copy anything out of a partially transparent layer, that object will be partially transparent.  It sort of picks it up from the layer.  I've always found it confusing to use layers for anything more than organization.  (Edit -- If you need a partially transparent layer, you could lock it, to prevent accidentally pasting things into it.)

Also note that if you group something with partial transparency, the group will not indicate that.  (It used to, and I wish it still did - kind of drives me crazy, to be honest.)  So if you have a group, you need to either enter the group (double-click on it), or ungroup it, to check the individual objects in the group.

If none of that helps, please share the SVG file with us, which is showing the problem.  Also explain how to produce the problem, if it's not exactly showing yet.

Just out of curiosity (I'm always interested in how people are using Inkscape) are you going to have these cards actually printed up, into an actual deck of cards?

[Agrajag]

Brynn,

To try to help explain this better, here's an example of two issues that perplex me.


inkscape example.JPG
(30.45 kB . 421x302)
(viewed 232 times)

The top text is the one I typed fresh in the new file. The bottom text is the one I copied over from the original file. Note the way this text appears clear except when over the moon image. I noticed later that I can't seem to bring this copied text to the top of objects. It is stuck essentially appearing below the moon graphic.

Also, another point of confusion is that this is the same font and same size, but the Line Spacing will not carry over correctly. The bottom one is 0.75. The top one I had to play with to get close and it's .56. Both have no type set for what this number is which is even more confusing. In other words, the pulldown for px, mm, cm, etc., is blank.

[Agrajag]

Here's the SVGs. And yes, once done these will be printed into decks for testing of the game as a final step before real printing and going to market.

First file is the new. Second file is the original.

[brynn]

It looks like a filter is applied to the text.   Try this:

 -- Select the text which is showing the problem.
 -- Look at the status bar.  Notice how it says "Text (blah, blah); filtered....."

While it's selected, click Filters menu > Remove Filters, to get rid of it.

As far as I can tell, you must have experimented with a Blend mode in one of the layers.  And just like I explained how objects can pick up transparency if they were in a layer with transparency, they can pick up the Blend mode too.  However, as soon as you move them out of that layer, it becomes a filter.  (I can't explain why.)

I don't think there's anything else besides transparency and blendmode/filters, which can be picked up from a layer.  But the most important thing you can learn from this, is that the status bar can save SO much time!  Not just the text in the middle part of the status bar, but also the left side of it (sometimes called the "style indicator").  It tells you the fill, stroke, and stroke width of the selected object.

[Agrajag]

That does seem to be it. I've jumped well ahead in novice learning with much trial and mostly error. All good.