====== Add a Mask Object ======

To add a Mask Object you can:

    * Click on the "M" Icon at the top right hand side of the Objects and Animation Screen
    * Right Click in the Object Panel or Main Screen in Objects and Animation and choose to "Add a Mask"

You are offered three alternatives

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==== Add a Mask Template ====

    * Choose from Circle or Rectangle

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    * Click OK to add the Mask to the Object Panel
    * A Rectangle Mask is added to the Mask Stencil

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    * Right Click on Mask Content and Add / Image

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    * You can then add Animation to the Image within the Mask
    * You can Zoom, Pan etc the Mask Container and/or the Mask Stencil

==== Add a Blank Mask ====

    * You can add a Blank Mask to add your own Image as a Mask

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==== Add an Image/Video Mask ====

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    * Add an Image as Mask Content

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    * A Video could also be added as either the Mask Stencil or Mask Content

==== Text as a Mask ====

    * Add Text as a Mask Stencil
    * Add an Image to the Mask Content

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==== Complex Masks ====

    * Masks in Version 9 also have another property which enables complex masks to be generated from a mixture of black and white objects: the ability to switch the "Alpha Channel" on and off.
    * Here is an example using two black rectangles with a white centre rectangle. Remember "white reveals" and "black conceals"..

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    * These two rectangles can be used to generate a composite mask
    * The two rectangles are now used as mask stencils in a user-defined Blank Mask
    * Rectangle 2 is above Rectangle 1
    * For Rectangle 2, if "Convert to Alpha Image" is ON, then the black area where Rectangle 2 overlaps Rectangle 1 becomes transparent

    * Convert to Alpha image is ON For Rectangle 2

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    * In the next example, "Convert to Alpha Image" is OFF for Rectangle 2 and the black area blocks out the area where it overlaps Rectangle 1

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    * More complex masks are possible using this technique and an example is shown below

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