On 2010-12-05 17:27, Jogchum Reitsma wrote:
... From Tamjongs course I learned that it is clipping that I need, but I cannot find that in my Dutch translated Inkscape (.47 and .48), and also masking (that should do the inverse if I'm correct, that is, only that nót within the Christmas tree becomes visible) doesn't seem to do anything.
Both masking and clipping serve a similar purpose, but clipping simply retains that which is inside the path, while masking lets through more or less of the masked object, depending on the color of the mask. In particular, any white areas in the mask fully show the masked object, while (transparent) black areas give a fully transparent result (at that point).
I hope that clarifies how masking should work. As for clipping, although I'm Dutch I always use English UIs, so I wouldn't know what it's called, but the clip path can be set using the submenu above the masking (masker?) submenu (both in the Object menu).