Inserting different picture background on several layers

Hi Roy,

You can prevent the base layer from showing through by clicking the little settings icon on the right side of the layer, (It looks like a little gear icon). When the Slide Layer Properties panel displays, check Hide objects on base layer in the visibility section.

Hi Dave,

Thanks for replying.

I knew about this and it doesn't solve the problem. I don't want all the objects on the base layer removing, I need them but the background image problem remained the same so I don't think 'hiding objects on the base layer' applies to the background image anyway?

Hi Roy!

The layers lay on top of the base layer, unless you specify to hide the base layer. So, it sounds like it's working as expected.

Based on your last response, perhaps you are just wanting to remove the base layer image and allow transparency on the layers on top? 

You could do this via the layer timeline, choosing to expand the base layer items, and hiding ones you wish to not see:

Hi Leslie,

Thanks for trying to help me here, I'm probably not explaining myself very well with this problem!

Again I understand and are aware of what you are saying so let me put it another way :)

On the base layer when I format background and insert a picture should that background picture show up when I expand the base layer items?

In all my slides the base layer background picture does not show up in the expanded base layer view.

If it did  I would have realised that all I had to do was hide it.

Thanks again

Roy

Hi Roy

no it won't show up as an object to be hidden on the layers as it is a background not a placed element.

If you didn't do format background and just placed the image on the base layer then yes you would be able to hide it on the layers.

Hope that answers your question

I probably miss the mark too, so apologies in advance. You are right, if you use Format Background for a slide and then fill the background with a pic, that picture will not be accessible in the timeline. If you do want to have a different background picture for a subset of slides and layers, you could create a new master. On that master you could add an image object with different states, e.g. a Normal state (that will be shown in the baselayer) and custom states (e.g. for layers 1-4). Then use a variable to change the state of that object depending on which layer is being displayed. See attached a quick example. I hope that's (kind of) what you wanted.

Hi Wendy and Michael,

Thank you both for your help with this  and both will work!

My original assumption about the 'format background' insert picture was correct; I probably didn't explain myself sufficiantly to give people a chance to help me...only been using SL2 for a few weeks (although I have used other authorware progs previously!

Wendy, yours is the simplest and most obvious way of doing what I want.......thank you...I always go looking for the hard way :) and it would have probably taken me days to get there with your solution.

Michael, thanks so much for the example download I have had a look at it and I'm glad to say I actually understand it.......although I would have struggled to get going on this from scratch so you have helped in a wider sense too.

Thanks again, I really appreciate it

Roy

Whew! Glad you were able to get the assistance that you needed here Roy and I apologize for not understanding :)