Southern New Hampshire University

Read&Write Screen Mask Tool

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The screen masking tool tints parts of your screen to help you focus on reading. You can customize the color, opacity and other options to your own personal preferences. 

Opening and Using the Screen Mask Tool

  • Open Read&Write.
  • Select the “Screen Mask” icon from the tool bar.
Read&Write screen masking tool icon.
  • The screen masking icon will now show a dot underneath and turn purple to indicate it is currently on.
Read&Write screen masking icon with "on" indicator.
  • The screen mask follows your cursor on the page in a horizontal line and dims the rest of the page.
SNHU.edu website with screen masking tool active.

You'll notice three new icons appear on your page. 

  • The first icon allows you to move the three icons around your screen.
  • The second icon is the same as the screen masking icon in the Read&Write toolbar. If clicked, it turns screen masking off.
  • The third icon brings you to the screen masking settings options.
Tools icons on screen when screen masking is active.
  • To stop the tool, select the “Screen Mask” icon again.

Screen Masking Settings

  • In the Read&Write toolbar, click on the ellipsis icon (three dots) and select the settings cogwheel. Click on "Screen Masking" in left column.
Arrow pointing to settings icon in the Read&Write toolbar.

Background Color:

  • The background color is the color that is outside of the highlighted area.
  • You can change the background color (or make it transparent) by clicking on the box next to “Background.”
  • You can adjust the opacity of the background color by using the “Background opacity” slider bar.

Reading light:

  • The reading light color is the color of highlighted area that follows your cursor.
  • You can change the Reading Light color (or make it transparent). By clicking on the box next to “Reading light.”
  • You can change the opacity of the Reading light by using the “Reading light opacity” slider bar.
  • You can change the height of the reading light area by adjusting the “Reading light height” slider bar.
  • The reading light can also be toggled off or on by clicking the “Reading light” checkbox under “General.”
Screen masking settings in Read&Write.

Select the link below to watch and/or listen to the tutorial:

How to Video for Having Read&Write Screen Mask (00:00:30)

Additional Resources:

Texthelp Academy

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