can't see through transparent task bar

from Stardock Forums
Is there a setting somewhere that allows windows to be seen through a transparent taskbar? I know this used to work in a build before the 5.1 release. Transparent taskbars look odd now. Windows get clipped. A fully transparent taskbar doesn't behave invisible.

screenie: http://www.aww-kittah-aww.com/up/files/311/taskbar.jpg
windowblinds
4,069 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
Hmmmmm, from your screenshot the Taskbar looks very transparent. I see the water of the Desktop wallpaper showing through. So, it looks fine from what I see.
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
The window is clipped. If the taskbar was transparent, you would expect to see the bottom part of the window *through* it like you can see things through a glass table top.
Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
the tasbar appears as if this algorithm was used:

load the taskbar
load the current wallpaper
crop the wallpaper based on dimensions of taskbar
overlay the taskbar over the cropped wallpaper creating an opaque taskbar
use the opaque taskbar

there is no alpha blending occurring at run-time. it could be a problem on my end as i know this used to blend at run-time with builds before the 5.1 release.