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redindus
08-24-2007, 09:21 AM
Been messing with those images and keep getting black/white backgrounds so i know you need alpha channel in the background, but i was unable figured it out.

Right now im using Deep Paint (freeshare) i can see new layer mask, load/save alpha channel but couldnt get it to work to .TGA files.

Could someone tell me how to do it, step by step plz. I checked for infos and couldnt find any.
AncientWolf
08-24-2007, 09:31 AM
Ive never used that program but what I find easiest to do is load a known "working" file and work from there. You might be able to see the differences required.

Come to think of it, Ive never made one from scratch per se', the benefit being is the image is already the correct size and you dont have to mess with placement.

The moveable bars were a different story, but I use Photoshop so cant give you much help there.
Aalwein
08-24-2007, 10:17 AM
What AncientWolf describes is my preferred method as well. Take an existing image that works (like something out of the default skin package) and examine how it works with alpha layers. The basics is that whatever is black on the alpha layer will be transparent on the art layer, while whatever is white will be viewable. Some authors, like Trottimus, uses shades of gray around the edges of white on the alpha layer to create a "fade-out" sort of look on the art layer. But that's more advanced.

The basics (as it applies to the alpha layer): black = transparent ...... white = viewable art.
AncientWolf
08-24-2007, 10:21 AM
All of my shadow effects are made by using eyecandy plugin or alienskin series of plugins btw.
redindus
08-25-2007, 03:34 AM
Thank for helping me out here, maybe i should look for another programs to get around this. Unfort i couldnt find any from download.com sections w/o paying for it. So free trial or free would be nice as long i can get my work done.

Any infos would be grateful.
redindus
AncientWolf
08-25-2007, 07:51 AM
Paintshop Pro?
redindus
08-25-2007, 01:53 PM
Paintshop Pro?

Yes that is one of them, since it not free trial or demo so i wouldnt think you can do much with it without paying for it. Im having financial problems right now so i couldnt buy it.
Cairenn
08-25-2007, 05:06 PM
While not my own personal preference, many people like GIMP (http://www.gimp.org/).
redindus
08-25-2007, 06:36 PM
While not my own personal preference, many people like GIMP (http://www.gimp.org/).

Cool thx i check into it :)
Aalwein
08-25-2007, 11:48 PM
I use gimp when I'm away from my desktop ... there is a portable version that can run from a thumb drive.
AncientWolf
08-26-2007, 09:43 AM
Yes that is one of them, since it not free trial or demo so i wouldnt think you can do much with it without paying for it. Im having financial problems right now so i couldnt buy it.

(Paintshop Pro reference)

My bad; I guess it shows my graphics age since I havent looked at PSP in a long time... My bad :rolleyes:
Weezl
08-27-2007, 07:11 AM
Thank for helping me out here, maybe i should look for another programs to get around this. Unfort i couldnt find any from download.com sections w/o paying for it. So free trial or free would be nice as long i can get my work done.

Any infos would be grateful.
redindus

Paint.NET is another good program and is free. Works much like a down-sized Photoshop. Get it at: http://www.getpaint.net/

And remember to save the TGA files in 32-bit mode, otherwise you won't get the transparence even if the Alpha-layer is correct.