Boolean like operation for layout objects

[Tim_E]

I can’t seem to find a similar question to mine. I simply want to draw a rectangle with a transparent fill and cut out a shape that would have no fill and layer above my imported sketchup scene.

I’ve tried using cut and join. Thanks

[DaveR]

This feature has been requested. Hopefully one day we will see it. Maybe a clipping mask would do what you need.

[bmike]

IIRC I think you have to use layers, 2 viewports, a semi transparent rectangle and clipping mask.

[Tim_E]

Thanks. I’ll give up on that. I’m sure there’s 2 or 3 other methods to get that look.

[DaveR]

What look do you actually want? Show an example.

[Tim_E]

Like this…which I just did in Sketchup. I could just tag the rectangle, easier than layout. I was just thinking I could put something like that shape in the layout scrapbook. But that was the wrong approach.

[DaveR]

What @bmike suggested would be simple in LayOut with a couple of stacked viewports, a semi-transparent shape, and a clipping mask for the top viewport.

[Tim_E]

I’ll give that a try as well. Thank you both

[DaveR]

Here’s a quick example.

Two identical viewports on separate layers with a slightly transparent rectangle on the layer between. A clipping mask used on the top viewport.

[Tim_E]

I see!..pretty snazzy! Would not have thought of that. Thanks again

[DaveR]

Thank Mike, of course.

FWIW, if you want to color over the clipped viewport, copy the clipping mask shape and paste it over the clipped viewport. Give it a fill color with transparency. I put the blue ellipse on another layer above the clipped viewport. By putting each entity on a separate layer it is easier to get at the ones underneath if needed.