In section 106.4 of the pgf manual (page 1068), one learns how to mask pixel based images.
I was wondering if it is possible to mask vectorized based content like text in a \node.
Of course in that case one "rasterizes" content. This however doesn't have to mean that the vectorized aspect is completely removed: one could split up the content in square cells. Each of the cells is given a certain transparency, but still has a vectorized description. For instance if there is a triangle drawn in a cell, it is still a vectorized triangle, but with transparency (for instance equal to 0.5). Is there an straightforward way to achieve this?
tikzfadingfrompictureenvironment and for example How to shade text in different colors?. – Qrrbrbirlbel May 15 '15 at 12:13