Overlay Transparent Images

[lbudack]

Is there an easy way to add an image to a report and make it transparent? I need to overlay a school district boundary over a map of plotted school locations, and I have a good overlay to use. However, I can't seem to find any setting or option to make it transparent and line it up with my existing map visualization. Thanks! 

[PaulDBrown · Accepted solution]

@lbudack 

What image format is your overlay (png, jpeg, tiff, ...)?

I don't think there is a way of making an imported image transparent. You probably need to make it transparent first in some image editing app - Gimp, Photoshop... - save it as a png (keeping the transparency) and then import it. 

[jaykilleen · Accepted solution]

You will need to put a shape over your image and then set the transparency on the shape.

1) Import the image 

2) Add a rectangle or other shape that is the same size as the image

3) Make the shape the same colour as your background (ie white if you are working with a white background)

4) Move the shape so it covers your image.

5) Set the transparency on the shape. This will make the image start to appear.

This is most useful if you have your image and shape as background layers. ie lowest in the order of appearance compared to all other elements. This might not be useful for things like watermarks as it will make the entire report transparent.

[PaulDBrown · Accepted solution]

@lbudack 

What image format is your overlay (png, jpeg, tiff, ...)?

I don't think there is a way of making an imported image transparent. You probably need to make it transparent first in some image editing app - Gimp, Photoshop... - save it as a png (keeping the transparency) and then import it. 

[lbudack]

Thank you! I was afraid of that but figured I'd ask in case I was missing something. I'll grab one of my graphic designers then. Thanks again!