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How do I use the Mona Lisa feature in tvpaint that Mirage has or is it even there? Just trying to combine layers without dropping the opacity. Any help would be great.

i don't know what you mean by 'mona lisa feature' but TVP has everything mirage had so it should be there.
In what way are you trying to combine layers? are you trying to merge them?

Peter Wassink wrote:i don't know what you mean by 'mona lisa feature' ...

selective memory ...

dodgerblues wrote:How do I use the Mona Lisa feature in tvpaint that Mirage has or is it even there?

if it's the "Mona Lisa" button from the Mirage's Animator Tool Bar,
I think it was the "Image From Anim" command,
this command is present in the TVPA's Animator panel (Layer : second button),
if it's the "Mona Lisa on checked (transparent) BG" button ,
the TVPaint corresponding is in the FX stack : Color / ScanCleaner_FX.

dodgerblues wrote:... Just trying to combine layers without dropping the opacity. Any help would be great.

Can clarify this? some more details on what you need could help us to help you ...

I'm just trying to add my animation on one layer to the background which is on a seperate layer for a pencil test

dodgerblues wrote:I'm just trying to add my animation on one layer to the background which is on a seperate layer for a pencil test

are you saying you want to merge your animation layer with your background layer, so that you end up with only one layer?

yes

what for ?
your layers will be flattened when exporting your penciltest anyway ...

when I export and make my quicktime clip, it still doesnt show the layers together. My top layer is the background I created and the layer below is my animation. I know I'm doing something wrong but cant figure it out. When I used the previous version, Mirage, all I had to do is highlight the layers and go to window>custom panel>Mona lisa and BAM my animation played with the background. I figure its a little different with the newer version TVPAINT but not too much different. Hey BTW thanks for responding and helping me out!! If you were close by I'd have you over for BBQ and beer!! Thanks

You still haven't provided enough description of your layers for us to figure out what it desired. I mean, why is the top layer the background, and your pencil animation on the bottom layer?
maybe it's better you post a screen grab, or upload the file itself.

If you mean that you have scanned pencil animation, move it to be the top layer, and do like ZigOtto suggested:
FX Stack > Color > ScanCleaner_FX
and your pencil will have alpha value added to it.

no need to merge layers in order to export to quicktime.

dodgerblues wrote:when I export and make my quicktime clip, it still doesnt show the layers together. My top layer is the background I created and the layer below is my animation. I know I'm doing something wrong but cant figure it out.

maybe its as simple as changing the layer order?
just drag your animlayer up (using the layer thumbnail in the left colom of the layerpanel)so that its above your BG.

you should note that in tvp layer visibility is from top to bottom: the top layer is on top.
its so obvious we might just have overlooked it as the cause of your problem

Ok...I changed the layer order and used the FX scan cleaner and BOOM! It works now. That simple. Ya know, I met Stan Lee last summer and he gave me a lesson on the simple things in life, and how we overlook them. Thank you all for your post and help!!! ZigOtto, Peter, thank you for showing me the light! Now excuse me as I go bang my head into the wall to turn my brain in the right direction. Thanks to other users for your time and help!

another alternative way (and very simple) consists to change the Layer blending mode of the upper (black on white) Layer,
by default, it's on "Color", set it on "Darken only" or Sub", or "Multiply".

ZigOtto wrote:another alternative way (and very simple) consists to change the Layer blending mode of the upper (black on white) Layer,
by default, it's on "Color", set it on "Darken only" or Sub", or "Multiply".

Zig, it's in the Professional version only