I''m using Photoshop 6 and all I''m trying to do is make part of the image transparent (I want to make some textures for trees). I''ve been trying to figure this out for about long time now The problem is that the regions that should be transparent always turn out to be a grey color when I try to display the PNG. If there was a hidden default grey background layer, this would explain it. Right now I''m just testing the transparency part by loading the image in IE over a background. Basically I''ve been creating the PNG with a transparent background, filling it with a solid color then using the background erase brush to cut transparent holes in it. Even when I create a new image with a transparent background, and I don''t do anything at all to it, I just save it as a png... it still doesn''t work. When I open the PNG in Internet Explorer, there''s just a grey square. It shouldn''t show anything because the whole image is transparent ?! I even tried setting the opacity of the layer to 0%, and it still does the same thing. I''ve tried using the alpha channel in various layers. I''ve tried setting the opacity settings of all the layers except the one I want to 0%. I''ve tried saving the PNG using "Save As..." and "Save for Web...". And I''ve tried alot of other things also. I can get transparency working for GIFs, but whenever I try for PNGs I get grey where the image should be transparent and the image is 100% opaque. I know how to do the transparency thing in PaintShopPro using a mask, but I''d like to learn how to do it in Photoshop, but it seems to be very screwed up.

If anyone is interested, I figured out the problems, I think.

Internet Explorer has buggy support of PNGs. It can''t display a RGBA png properly, it just displays grey where the image is transparent. It can display palettized RGBA PNGs properly though. Ever since PNG support was introduced to IE in version 4.0, this bug has been there and M$ seems to be just ignoring it. It''s still there in IE6.0. Also, it seems IE has a pile of other problems with displaying PNGs, such as doing gamma correction properly. For some reason M$ doesn''t like the PNG format.

I''ve also read reports that Photoshop has buggy support of PNGs, but its been getting progressively better with each version.

To create transparent PNGs in Photoshop:

Select the area you want to be transparent
Under the Help Menu, select Export Transparent Image

After that, just follow the steps.

I''m convinced Adobe made it this complicated on purpose - it was much easier under PS 5.5

Regards,
- Nick Robalik
http://www.digital-soapbox.com

On the other hand, transparent GIF handling got easier, didn''t it? That used to be handled with a separate command. The plot thickens...

[ MSVC Fixes | STL | SDL | Game AI | Sockets | C++ Faq Lite | Boost | Asking Questions ]

In 6.0, .gif handling is done the same way. How I long for the days of 5.5 and Export>Gif89a.

Regards,
- Nick Robalik
http://www.digital-soapbox.com

I still use 5.5 and do not plan on upgrading anytime soon :D

Billy - BillyB@mrsnj.com

You really should. Photoshop is much better.

Did I hear that right, there is a PHotoshop 7 out ?

As for transparency, I long for the day PNG alpha support will be implemented properly in browsers... drop shadows gallore, I can see it from here


Sancte Isidore ora pro nobis !

Drop shadows are the tool of the devil .

Regards,
- Nick Robalik
http://www.digital-soapbox.com

quote: Original post by digisoap
Drop shadows are the tool of the devil .

LOL
2 years ago, I thought Photoshop and its horde of Filters where a tool develop by the devil to make designers worldwide lazy... now I just realise it''s not that bad.
But Flash ... now here''s something *really* evil... the Flash style graphics are really starting to get to my nerves.
(by the way, yes, drop shadows are lame, and I just found out how to make them properly in Director. Ahame on me, after one year of trying to figure it out, it was under my nose all along)





Sancte Isidore ora pro nobis !