Transparent image over colored background

[Anonymous]

I have been trying to figure out an easy way to make a top layer of a picture be transparent to see through the bottom layer. The top layer is an image, the bottom layer is a solid background color. The end goal is for a video where I have images or scenes moving through the background layer in the shape of the top layer. I am almost trying to do the opposite of an alpha layer. I tried to erase, but then the background color just shows through instead. I cannot figure out how to do this or if it is even possible. If there is a way to fill a layer with an "alpha color" that would be exactly what I am looking to do. In the picture below the yellow is the solid background color and the horse is the top layer that I would want transparent. As it is, I can only make the yellow an alpha layer.

I am on Windows 10.

[david.lau]

1.  1 layer will be yelow.

2. You need the blue horse in a separate file so you can cut/copy based into a new layer and then you can adjust the transparency.

[Anonymous]

I already have the horse in a new layer, but changing the opacity has the same effect of just showing the yellow layer - unless I am missing how to change the transparency. I have looked it up and am using the slider on the layer editor. If this isn't what you mean can you please explain, or link to a guide of what you mean?

[Anonymous]

Still looking for a solution here. If anyone can help it would be appreciated.

[patrick.muenster]

Sorry, I don't  get what you really want to do, but I can help you with this part of your question:

"If there is a way to fill a layer with an "alpha color" that would be exactly what I am looking to do"

As far as I know, there is no direct way in Sketchbook to select a transparent (alpha) color. You can only paint with a brush and reduced opacity of the brush or reduce the opacity of a layer.

But there is a workaround to get a transparent color:

• Create two new layers
• Fill the upper layer with the base color
• Reduce the opacity of the upper layer as you wish
• Merge the upper layer with the layer below
• Volià: The merged layer will have a color with alpha.

Maybe this helps you?

By the way: Selecting transparent colors would be a nice improvement to Sketchbook. Probably I'm going to write down the suggestion.