macOS Transparent Backgrounds and Interface Builder?

[steveklabnik]

Hey guys. I'm trying to learn more about using Interface Builder, and I'm playing with transparency effects. I've checked out Apple's RoundTransparentWindow project, and it does it all programmatically... is there any way to give a window a transparent background using Interface Builder only, or is that the only way to do it? If so, it's not a problem, but it seems kind of weird that there isn't an option in there somewhere.

I'm trying to make a window where the buttons and text fields are opaque, but the background of the window is translucent.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Krevnik]

Considering a translucent window hurts usability (I even hate those HUD windows, to be honest), I'm not surprised that Interface Builder won't let you do it.

If you really need a translucent window, you will need to do it programmatically. Some view options for controls just aren't accessible via IB.

 

[steveklabnik]

Some view options for controls just aren't accessible via IB.

Cool. This is something I wasn't sure about... I've been playing around with IB lately, drawing up lots of different interface things for some projects, and was wondering about that...