Using Magic Ink

Here we introduce Magic Ink and show you how to use it.

You can use Magic Ink to make any 'top layer' object (or part of an object) invisible. Think of Magic Ink as a pen that can draw a 'see through' annotation on the top layer. Magic Ink allows you to punch holes through the objects on the top layer, so that you can see the objects on the layers beneath.

Example 1

Add an image from the Resource Library. The image will be on the middle layer of the page. Then select the Pen Tool and set the width to wide, color over the image until it is completely obscured. This pen annotation will be on the top layer. Finally use Magic Ink to remove the pen annotation to reveal the image beneath.

 

Example 2

Add two photographs of the same landscape scene, one taken in winter, one in summer. Place the winter photo on the top layer so that it is positioned exactly over the summer photo. Then use Magic Ink to gradually erase the winter image to reveal the summer image beneath.

Why does Magic Ink only work on some items?

The annotations you create with Magic Ink are themselves objects. So you can use Magic Ink to conceal objects you want to reveal later.

Layers and stacking are important when using Magic Ink:

  • Magic Ink works only on the top layer.

  • On the top layer, Magic Ink only works on items lower in the stacking order.

  • Any item placed on the top layer can, therefore, be made invisible with Magic Ink.

For more information, see Using layers and stacking.

Change the size of the Magic Ink nib

In the Main Toolbox:

See through an annotation

To see through an annotation:

  1. From the Tools Menu, select Magic Ink.

  2. Click and drag the cursor over the annotation you want to see through.

Find a Magic Ink annotation

To find out if a flipchart contains any items created with Magic Ink:

  1. Open the Object Browser and look for objects with the Magic Ink icon, like the one indicated in the example on the right.

  2. When you click on the item in the Object Browser, it is selected on the flipchart page:

Now you can move the Magic Ink annotation, delete it, or change it in some other way.

 

Alternatively:

Move the cursor over the Magic Ink annotation (you can tell that you are in the right place when the cursor looks like this ).

Before and after...

 

 

Delete Magic Ink

You can delete Magic Ink annotations like any other objects:

  • Select the Magic Ink annotation on the flipchart page, or in the Object Browser and press Delete, or

  • Drag and drop the annotation into the Trashcan.