Alpha masks can include transparency information to subtly blend a foreground image into a new background. To work with alpha masks in QuarkXPress, you must first create an alpha mask in an image-editing application such as Adobe Photoshop. You can then use the alpha mask in QuarkXPress.








  1. Import a picture that has an alpha mask.

  2. Select the name of the alpha channel from the Masks drop-down menu in the Measurements palette.

  3. Open the Picture Effects palette (Window > Picture Effects).

  4. Select a picture effect from the Filters drop-down menu.

    Effects are applied to pictures as listed in the Picture Effects palette from top to bottom. To reorder effects, simply drag them up and down in the list.







You can apply the Gaussian Blur or the Diffuse picture effect to the picture or mask or both the picture and mask.









Note :To work with alpha masks in QuarkXPress, you'll need to save them with the picture in a format that supports alpha channels.The supported file format are: TIFF (.tif), PNG (.png), JPEG (.jpg), Scitex CT (.sct), GIF (.gif), PICT (.pct or .pict), BMP (.bmp), or raster/Photoshop EPS (.eps).