How can you draw to the RGB and Alpha channels at the same time? If you start a new image you only get the RBG channels, and if you add an alpha channel, you have to draw to it on its own. So, for example, if I draw red at 50% alpha, I want the output in the saved file (a targa) to read: (B)0 (G)0 (R)255 (A)128, targa''s are saved BGR, but I always get somthing like (B)120 (G)120 (R)255 (A)0, where it just blends the red and background instead of preserving the Alpha channel. Anyone understand? --- When I''m in command, every mission''s a suicide mission!

I don''t know, possibly using layers...?

Anyway, here''s a short tut on how to add the alpha channel in the end.

Creating Masks

The alpha attribute for a tool (brush, lines, etc) dont affect the alpha channel of the image YOU MUST edit the alpha channel
by your self, just select it in the channel panel and draw
(values in the alpha channel must be grayscale).

BTW:
If i remenber there is a checkbox asking for alpha chanel output
somewhere in the save dialog.

Yeah, unless its a super new thing I don''t think that its possible.
Its not realy needed or flexable enough.
Your best bet is to structure your work in a way that you can do what you need and not make it harder than it need to be. That probably makes little sense so I give examples. Layers will be your friend here. Lets say you want to draw in red as you said. Do it on a new layer and then use that layer to create a new selection from transparency(Ctrl click on the layer if I recall correctly). That selection can then be used to adjust the Alpha channel using any density adjustment. It will fit the shape of the layer you just created and you will have more control over the final blend than you otherwise would.
This is honestly kinda an odd thing to need. Why do you need to do things this way?

I wanted to do it like that so if I was drawing a circle or text for example, the edges would blend and Antialias correctly using shades of grey and not just be transparent or opaque.
You get me? If I write into the RGB layer with a solid colour, I want the Alpha layer to shade and blend the edges so they don''t come out all blocky.

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When I''m in command, every mission''s a suicide mission!

You can merge down all layers into a single layer (do NOT merge with the background), make a selection out from the layer transparency (ctrl+click the layer, if I''m not mistaked), and make an alpha channel out of that selection.

Also, remember to remove the layer transparency information, since that''ll be the alpha channels work, otherwise you''ll get those nasty white borders around the image. But on PSP 7, I''m not sure how you can do that... a cheesy way is duplicate the layer several times, and merge all duplicates, gradually removing the smooth transparency.

PLEASE do look up the several previous threads on transparency in Photoshop for all your needs. I and others here have answered questions on this specific topics tons of times in the past. Right now I couldnt be bothered writing about it yet again since all you have to do is look it up...
but you''ll have your answer though, so dont despair.
Gee.. I even wrote a minitutorial about that here, didnt I ? Ah I forget...

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Sancte Isidore ora pro nobis !