View source for Transparent Fills for Task Bars and Milestone Symbols Version 8.0

==Introduction==

Illustrations used in this article are from OnePager Pro using data from Microsoft Project but the features, functions, controls, and manual '''edits''' apply equally to other OnePager editions that '''import''' from '''data sources''' like Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Project Online, Microsoft Project Server, Microsoft Planner, Smartsheet, Oracle Primavera P6, Planisware Enterprise, Asana, and Wrike.

This article describes OnePager’s '''Transparent Fills for Task Bars and Milestones''' feature.

OnePager charts are constructed in layers on your computer screen so some graphics in the chart may be behind or in front of other graphics.  Graphics in these layers can be adjusted by using '''Order commands''' and the '''transparency feature''' for task bars/milestone symbols.  This article discusses both.

===Order Commands===

Graphics in the chart are represented by '''shapes''' that are positions in one of several levels as they appear on your computer screen.  As a consequence, some '''shapes''' on the top most level (front) may block the appearance of '''shapes''' at a lower level (back) and this may be an unwanted result.  

There are controls provided where you can '''bring shapes to the front''' of the chart or '''move them to the back''' of the chart.  For example, you can access the '''task bar context menu''' with a right click and navigate to the '''Order command''' as shown below:

<center>[[File:P80-10_19_1-80-(1-1)-10132025.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P80-10_19_1-80-(1-1)-10132025.png</center>-->

'''Order commands''' and the same sub-commands as shown above are provided for '''Comment Boxes''', '''Free Boxes''', '''Task Links''', '''Curtains''', and '''inserted Images''' or '''Pictures'''.  The sub-commands provide options to (1) '''bring the shape to the front''', (2) '''send it to the back''', (3) '''bring it forward one level''', or (4) '''send it back one level'''.  With these controls you can manipulate '''shapes''' that are overlapping to obtain the results you need for your schedule conversations.

For more detailed information on the '''Order command''', please see the article at:

<center>
{| class="wikitable"
| [[Order of Tasks/Milestones Decorations for Version 8.0 | Order of Tasks/Milestones Decorations]] <!--10.13.1-80-->
|}
</center>

===Controlling Transparency===

OnePager also provides controls for '''changing the transparency''' of various '''shapes''' in the chart so you achieve intended visual effects. That is, by increasing the '''transparency''' of an object in the foreground, you can make a background '''shape''' visible while retaining the foreground '''shape’s''' presence.  '''Transparency''' controls are provided for '''Comment Boxes''', '''Free Boxes''', '''Baselines''', '''Deadlines''', '''Endpoints''', '''Curtains''', '''Drop shadows''',''' '''and '''inserted Images''' or '''Pictures'''. 

These '''transparency controls''' all operate in the same way: '''transparency''' is expressed as a percentage where zero (0) percent '''transparency''' is considered a solid and 100% transparent is considered totally see through.  Prior to OnePager Version 7.2 '''transparency controls''' were only provided for the '''shapes''' identified in the above list.  There were no '''transparency controls''' for task bars/milestone symbols either globally or on an individual task bar/milestone symbol basis.  OnePager Version 7.2 and later now provides '''full transparency controls''' for task bars/milestone symbols.

This article describes the '''new transparency controls''' provided with OnePager version 7.2 and later for task bars/milestone symbols for global and individual '''editing''' in the chart.

==Global Transparency Controls for Task Bars/Milestone Symbols==

The OnePager '''Template Properties''' and '''Chart Properties''' form’s '''Task Bar''' and '''Milestone''' tabs are enhanced in OnePager Version 7.2 and later with the addition of '''transparency controls''' as shown below for the '''Chart Properties''' form:

<center>'''Chart Properties Form’s Task Bar Tab'''</center>
<center>[[File:P72-10_19_1-72-(2)-09032023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-10_19_1-72-(2)-09032023.png</center>-->

<center>'''Chart Properties Form’s Milestone Tab'''</center>
<center>[[File:P72-10_19_1-72-(3)-09032023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-10_19_1-72-(3)-09032023.png</center>-->

'''Transparency values''' can be set for task bars/milestone symbols before the chart is created by making the appropriate control settings in the '''Template Properties''' form’s '''Task Bars''' or '''Milestones''' tabs.  After the chart is created, '''transparency values''' can be set or reset by making the appropriate control settings in the '''Chart Properties''' form’s '''Task Bars''' or '''Milestones''' tabs.

===Global Task Bar Transparency - Example===

As an example of how '''transparency''' can be used in a chart, suppose we have a BlueGrass Project chart in OnePager and have added an '''image''' ('''Picture''') to the '''background''' as shown below:

<center>[[File:P72-10_19_1-72-(4)-09032023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-10_19_1-72-(4)-09032023.png</center>-->

In the chart above, the '''inserted picture''' appears behind the task bars obscuring the top portion of the '''picture'''.  If we suppose further for a moment that this a branded product and we want to show it more prominently but still have the task bars present, we can increase the task bar’s '''transparency value''' bringing out more detail on the '''picture''' that is in a '''back level''' as shown below with '''Transparency''' set at '''fifty-percent''' ('''50%''').

<center>[[File:P72-10_19_1-72-(5)-09032023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-10_19_1-72-(5)-09032023.png</center>-->

Increasing the '''Transparency value''' lets the '''background picture''' show through with greater clarity yet does not completely reduce the visibility of the task bars.

Increasing the '''Transparency value''' even further to '''ninety-five percent''' ('''95%''') allows the '''background picture''' to become more prominent as shown here:

<center>[[File:P72-10_19_1-72-(6)-09032023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-10_19_1-72-(6)-09032023.png</center>-->

Altering the '''global transparency value''' of task bars/milestone symbols is a way of maintaining the visibility of task bars/milestone symbols in the chart and allowing '''objects''' or '''pictures''' in the '''background''' to have some prominence.  The '''global transparency controls''' for task bars/milestone symbols can be used in conjunction with '''Order commands''' to achieve various chart effects.

===Global Milestone Symbol Transparency - Example===

As mentioned at the beginning of this article the '''milestone''' symbol '''transparency controls''' are provided for created charts in the '''Milestones''' tab of the '''Chart Properties''' form as shown below:

<center>[[File:P72-10_19_1-72-(3)-09032023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-10_19_1-72-(3)-09032023.png</center>-->

As an illustration we can take the OnePager chart used in this article and transform its task bars into '''milestone''' symbols at their '''Finish dates'''.  That OnePager chart looks like this:

<center>[[File:P72-10_19_1-72-(15)-09062023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-10_19_1-72-(15)-09062023.png</center>-->

Changing these '''milestone''' symbols’ '''transparency values''' to '''50%''' makes the chart appear as shown below:

<center>[[File:P72-10_19_1-72-(16)-09062023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-10_19_1-72-(16)-09062023.png</center>-->

A note is necessary on the OnePager '''Emoji''' feature that can be used in addition to '''Dynamic shapes''' for the purpose of representing '''Milestone Start/Finish dates'''.  '''Emoji shapes''' cannot be increased in '''transparency'''.  There changing the '''milestone shapes''' in the above charts which shows its '''Dynamic shape milestone''' symbols at 50% '''transparency''' results in a chart with '''Emoji shapes''' that look like the chart shown below:

<center>[[File:P72-10_19_1-72-(17)-09062023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-10_19_1-72-(17)-09062023.png</center>-->

For a complete list of '''Dynamic''' and '''Emoji shapes''', please see the article at:

<center>
{| class="wikitable"
| [[Gallery of Dynamic Shapes and Emoji Symbols for Version 8.0 | Gallery of Dynamic Shapes and Emoji Symbols]] <!--29.3.1-80-->
|}
</center>

==Individual Task Bars/Milestone Symbols Transparency Controls==

In addition to '''global transparency value controls''', you have the capability to select one or more task bar/milestone symbols using various '''selection combinations''' and change the '''selected shape’s transparency values'''.  The controls for making '''transparency value''' changed to individual task bar/milestone symbols is provided in the '''Change Task/Milestone Properties''' form at the '''Format''' tab as shown below:

<center>[[File:P72-10_19_1-72-(7)-09032023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-10_19_1-72-(7)-09032023.png</center>-->

The '''Transparency value control''' shown above operates the same as described for the '''Transparency value control''' discussed for the '''global transparency value controls'''.  Increasing the '''Transparency value''' increases the level of '''transparency''' for the '''selected task bar/milestone symbol'''.  

When you change an '''individual task bar/milestone symbol’s transparency value''', you are creating a '''maverick transparency value'''.  As with other controls in the above '''Change Task/Milestone Properties''' form, clicking the '''Use Format Defaults''' button '''restores the values''' at the '''Format''' tab to the values specified in the '''Chart Properties''' form.

'''Transparency value''' settings are '''snapshot dependent'''.

===Individual Task Bar Transparency - Example===

For a selected '''transparency value''' change let’s start with the basic chart shown below where all '''transparency values''' are set at '''zero-percent''' ('''0%'''):

<center>[[File:P72-10_19_1-72-(8)-09032023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-10_19_1-72-(8)-09032023.png</center>-->

For purpose of illustration, we’ll select the '''MERLINE Subcontractor Selection''' and '''ADONIS Subcontractor Selection''' tasks with a right-click to access the '''task bar right-click context menu '''and click the '''Format command''' to access the '''Change Task/Milestone Properties''' form shown below:

<center>[[File:P72-10_19_1-72-(9)-09032023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-10_19_1-72-(9)-09032023.png</center>-->

When you click the '''OK''' button on the '''Change Task/Milestone Properties''' form, the two selected task bars and the chart looks like this:

<center>[[File:P72-10_19_1-72-(10)-09032023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-10_19_1-72-(10)-09032023.png</center>-->

As an illustration of how this can improve the visibility of other objects in the chart, suppose there is a '''manual task link '''added for planning purposes that happens to pass through a task bar as shown below where the '''task link''' is visible through a task bar with '''50% transparency''':

<center>[[File:P72-10_19_1-72-(11)-09032023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-10_19_1-72-(11)-09032023.png</center>-->

Having a '''Transparency value''' of '''50%''' allows the '''manually inserted task link''' to remain visible from the predecessor task bar to the successor task bar.  If, however, the two task bars with '''50% transparency''' values are returned to the '''default transparency''' values of '''0%''', the chart looks like this:  

<center>[[File:P72-10_19_1-72-(12)-09032023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-10_19_1-72-(12)-09032023.png</center>-->

In the illustration above the '''selected task bars''' are restored to '''zero-percent''' ('''0%''') '''transparency value''' and hide a portion of the '''manual task link'''.  Task bar/milestone '''transparency value''' changes can be used in this way to increase the visibility of critical shapes in the chart.

===Individual Milestone Symbol Transparency===

Changing the '''transparency value''' for a single or multiply selected milestone symbol in the chart is the same as described in the previous sub-section for single or multiply selected task bars.  Selection of a milestone symbol with a '''right-click''' accesses the '''milestone symbol right-click context menu''' where you can then click the '''Format command''' to access the '''Change Task/Milestone Properties''' form at its '''Format '''tab.  When these actions are taken, the '''Format''' tab for the '''Change Task/Milestone Properties''' form looks like this:

<center>[[File:P72-10_19_1-72-(18)-09062023.png]]</center>
<!--<center>P72-10_19_1-72-(18)-09062023.png</center>-->

Once accessed, the form above can be used to change the properties of selected milestone symbols in the chart including their '''transparency values'''.

==Related Links==

{| class="wikitable"
| [[OnePager Express Import of Data from Microsoft Excel for Version 8.0 | OnePager Express Import of Data from Microsoft Excel]] <!--4.0.1.4-80-->
| [[OnePager Import of Data from Primavera P6 for Version 8.0 | OnePager Import of Data from Primavera P6]] <!--4.0.1.6-80-->
|-
| [[OnePager Import of Data from Smartsheet for Version 8.0 | OnePager Import of Data from Smartsheet]] <!--4.0.1.7-80-->
| [[OnePager Import of Data from Microsoft Planner for Version 8.0 | OnePager Import of Data from Microsoft Planner]] <!--4.0.1.9-80A-->
|-
| [[OnePager Import of Data from Planisware Enterprise for Version 8.0 | OnePager Import of Data from Planisware Enterprise]] <!--4.0.1.11-80-->
| [[OnePager Import of Data from Asana for Version 8.0 | OnePager Import of Data from Asana]] <!--4.0.1.13-80-->
|-
| [[OnePager Import of Data from Wrike for Version 8.0 | OnePager Import of Data from Wrike]] <!--4.0.1.15-80-->
| [[Manual Editing Task/Milestone Shapes and Text Labels for Version 8.0 (Portal) | Manual Editing Task/Milestone Shapes and Text Labels (Portal)]] <!--9.0.1-80-->
|-
| [[Changing Individual Task/Milestone Properties (Color, Shape, Labels, etc.) for Version 8.0 | Changing Individual Task/Milestone Properties (Color, Shapes, Labels, etc.)]] <!--9.2.1-80-->
| [[Labeling Task/Milestone Dates for OnePager for Version 8.0 | Labeling Task/Milestone Dates for OnePager]] <!--10.1.1-80-->
|-
| [[Percent complete for OnePager for Version 8.0 | Percent complete for OnePager]] <!--10.3.1-80-->
| [[Baselines for OnePager for Version 8.0 | Baselines for OnePager]] <!--10.5.1-80-->
|-
| [[Order of Tasks/Milestones Decorations for Version 8.0 | Order of Tasks/Milestones Decorations]] <!--10.13.1-80-->
| [[Editing with the Chart Properties form for Version 8.0 (Portal) | Editing with the Chart Properties form (Portal)]] <!--21.0.1-80-->
|-
| [[Managing Templates for Version 8.0 (Portal) | Managing Templates (Portal)]] <!--24.0.1-80-->
| [[Gallery of Dynamic Shapes and Emoji Symbols for Version 8.0 | Gallery of Dynamic Shapes and Emoji Symbols]] <!--29.3.1-80-->
|}

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[[Category:Version 8.0]]
[[Category:Charts]]
[[Category:Tool Bar]]    
[[Category:Chart Properties Form]]
[[Category:Editing the Chart]]
[[Category:Task/Milestone Editing]]
[[Category:Task/Milestone Decorations]]
[[Category:Labels]]
[[Category:Name Label Collision Avoidance]]
[[Category:Percent Complete]]
[[Category:Critical Path]]
[[Category:Baselines]]
[[Category:Deadlines]]
[[Category:Endpoints]]
[[Category:Task Links]]
[[Category:Mavericks]]
[[Category:OnePager Pro]]
[[Category:OnePager Express]]
[[Category:OnePager Bundle]]