Blend Mode

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Blend Mode


 

Editor-Icon Blend Mode

 


 

The Blend Mode property is available for document content and many of the annotation features in PDF-XChange Editor. It appears in the Properties Toolbar when objects that feature it are selected, and can also be viewed/edited in the Properties pane. Blend Mode determines how content blends with overlapping content. The Fill Color property is referenced when Blend Modes are used, and this can be edited in the Properties Toolbar or the Properties pane:

 

blend.mode.shot

Figure 1. Blend Mode Options

 

Normal maintains the selected Fill Color.

Multiply multiples the Fill Color value with the color value of the underlying content. Resultant colors are at least as dark as one of the source colors.

Screen multiplies the complements of the Fill Color value with the color value of underlying content and then complements the result. The resulting color will be at least as light as one of the source colors.

Overlay either multiplies or screens the Fill Color value with the color value of underlying content, depending on the color value of the latter. The Fill Color will overlay the underlying content while preserving its highlights and shadows. The color of underlying content will be blended with the Fill Color to reflect its shade.

Darken selects the darker of the Fill Color value and the color value of underlying content.

Lighten selects the lighter of the Fill Color value and the color value of underlying content.

Color Dodge brightens the color of the underlying content to reflect the Fill Color. Note that if black is used as the Fill Color then there will be no effect.

Color Burn darkens the color of the underlying content to reflect the Fill Color. Note that if white is used as the Fill Color then there will be no effect.

Hardlight either multiples or screens the Fill Color value with the color value of underlying content, depending on the Fill Color value. This creates the effect of shining a strong spotlight on the underlying color.

Softlight either darkens or lightens colors, depending on the Fill Color value. This creates the effect of shining a diffused spotlight on the underlying color.

Difference subtracts the darker of the constituent colors from the lighter color.

Exclusion performs a less contrasted version of the Difference option.

Hue combines the Fill Color value with the saturation and luminosity of the color value of the underlying content.

Saturation combines the saturation of the Fill Color with the hue and luminosity color value of the underlying content.

Color combines the the hue and saturation of the Fill Color with the luminosity color value of the underlying content.

Luminosity combines the luminosity of the Fill Color with the hue and saturation of the color value of the underlying content.

 

Note that the Arrange options can be used to change the layer order of overlapping content, which has a direct effect on the Blend Mode. Those options are detailed here.