Put an effect on the light only
Turn a light leak into ASCII characters, or run any effect on just the light, while your art stays clean on top.
Effects work on everything below them. So to change only a light leak, put the leak and its effects under your art. This recipe uses ASCII, and any effect works the same way.
The stack
From the bottom up:
| Layer | Setting |
|---|---|
| Light Leak | Film › Light set to Light only |
| ASCII | Color › Source color at 100%, so the characters keep the leak's color |
| Your art | Normal for a logo or cutout, Screen for a full photo |
Steps
- Start with your art in Layers.
- Add Light Leak. Drag it below your art in Layers.
- In its faceplate, set Light to Light only. The leak draws its light with no picture under it.
- Add ASCII and drag it between the leak and your art. Only the light turns into characters.
- Select your art and pick its blend. Use Normal for a cutout that sits on top, or Screen for a full photo the light should glow through.
Why it works
An effect can only see what's below it. With the leak at the bottom set to Light only, ASCII sees nothing but light. Your art sits above both, so neither one touches it.
The same stack works for any pair. Try Light only under Halftone for printed light, or under CRT for light on a tube.