PSP8, PNG's & Transparency Oddity

Tuesday, October 16, 2007 by Daiwa | Discussion: Skinning

I've been using PSP8 for some time now and generally have no particular problems with it, except one. PNG alpha-channel transparency seems to be lost whenever I open a file previously saved with alpha-channel trans. This image of the PNG Optimizer will help explain my problem:


When I save an image using the above settings, it appears to save with proper alpha-channel trans as when I then import it in SKS5, the converted .tga displays proper trans in the skin. However, if I re-open the .png file, often the trans is lost & the image displays white where the trans should be as in the left panel above. If I then just close it or save it, the .png alpha-channel trans is lost - if I re-import it, the converted .tga has no trans. This is not consistent but happens more often than not; only occasionally will a .png with alpha-trans open in PSP8 with transparency properly displayed as in the panel on the right above.

I have the option selected to "Load and save transparency from / to alpha channel" in PNG File Format Preferences.

Any ideas why the trans isn't sticking?
20 Reply 29 Referrals
boss0190
Reply #1 Tuesday, October 16, 2007 9:57 PM
I haven't used PSP much, but when I did, it didn't work well if at all with alpha channels. Photoshop is the only program I've used that seems to save with alpha channels properly.

Hopefully someone has a fix for you.

Lantec
Reply #2 Tuesday, October 16, 2007 10:01 PM
Under what areas......
use Existing Image or Transparency Layer instead of "areas matching this color"

boss0190
Reply #3 Tuesday, October 16, 2007 10:11 PM
You seem to be the PSP Master Lantec, I figured you'd come in with the answer.

Lantec
Reply #4 Tuesday, October 16, 2007 10:14 PM
that's cause I'm poor and can't afford them spensive programs like Photoshop

Daiwa
Reply #5 Tuesday, October 16, 2007 10:24 PM
Under what areas......
use Existing Image or Transparency Layer instead of "areas matching this color"


Thanks very much Boss & Lantec.

Lantec -

The dialog was just a convenient way to show both images at the same time. When I save, say a .bmp I've made, in .png format using those settings to make the white area transparent, the resulting .png file does have alpha trans & it converts to a .tga with proper trans when imported in SKS5.

But if I re-open that .png file, it will usually open without displaying the trans - the area that was transparent will be white, as in the "before" image in the dialog. Sometimes it will open with the transparent background showing properly as in the "after" image in the dialog, but not usually. The trans seems to get "lost" in the Save/Open cycle for some reason.

Is that more clear?

boss0190
Reply #6 Tuesday, October 16, 2007 10:30 PM
that's cause I'm poor and can't afford them spensive programs like Photoshop


I'm divorced...easier to buy the spensive programs that way.

Lantec
Reply #7 Tuesday, October 16, 2007 10:31 PM
Yep, I haven't had version 8 for more than a year or so and I can remember for that version png and tga transparency were both a pain in the ass. Best fix is an update. Alternative is to check each png/tga file before saving.

Daiwa
Reply #8 Tuesday, October 16, 2007 10:50 PM
How do you "check" each file before saving? I just run the optimizer.

If it is a version-specific problem, I'd be willing to upgrade, though Paint.NET is an attractive alternative (at an outstanding price). I've gotten pretty comfortable using PSP, the only thing being this unpredictable handling of trans.

Thanks again.

Lantec
Reply #9 Tuesday, October 16, 2007 10:59 PM
I just run the optimizer.


Make sure your set for the Alpha Channel and Existing Image/Layer transparency.....
That's if your going to use in a Stardock applied skin.

I'm on version XI but frankly X was as good and both are better than 8 & IX if you do a lot of digital photography.

Daiwa
Reply #10 Tuesday, October 16, 2007 11:38 PM
Would starting with a transparent background when creating a new image make a difference? I'm more often than not modifying a .bmp & saving as .png, so they don't start with trans.

Looks like the current upgrade price for 12 (PSP Photo X2) is ~$60.

boss0190
Reply #11 Tuesday, October 16, 2007 11:45 PM
I would think a transparent background would be necessary, or at least turn off that layer when you are saving.

Daiwa
Reply #12 Tuesday, October 16, 2007 11:47 PM
My inexperience with image editing is showing.

boss0190
Reply #13 Wednesday, October 17, 2007 12:13 AM
I know in Photoshop if the background isn't transparent, it will show. I usually create my images with an opaque background, so I can see what it will look like, but before I save I uncheck the background layer and then save it.

Maybe that is the problem?

Daiwa
Reply #14 Wednesday, October 17, 2007 10:15 AM
uncheck the background layer and then save it.


I don't see a way to do that in PSP8, which may just be my ignorance. With PSP8, the image is the background layer, unless a new trans layer is added. It also seems that the image often has to be "merged" before PSP8 will save it.

Lantec
Reply #15 Wednesday, October 17, 2007 5:01 PM
You definitely want to start out with a transparent image.

If your editing bmps then I'd suggest opening a new image and paste the portion of the bmp you want into it being careful to avoid copying the background. Use the magic wand selection tool and add (shift key) remove (ctrl key) as necessary to get the selection correct. I find it's sometimes easier to select the background and then invert the section.

I don't see a way to do that in PSP8


If you use the Layer Palette (mines on the right side of the window) each layer has an eye symbol showing. If you click the eye symbol that will make the layer visible or not visible.

NightTrainthedark
Reply #16 Wednesday, October 17, 2007 5:13 PM
Daiwa, It sounds like SKS isn't converting the image and it is staying a .tga when you go to edit from SKS.

You should have an option somewhere in PSP to "PROMOTE TO LAYER" for a .bmp. This will take care of the alpha channels. You'll still need some transparency in the image or SKS will read it as a bmp and convert it accordingly. A simple save as a .png should work fine as long as at least a pixel has transparency, then SKS will detect a png and convert it to tga.

When merging layers use the "Merge visible" option to maintain the alpha channels.

This is using PSP7 but I dont think there was much difference between 7 and 8.





ama02
Reply #17 Wednesday, October 17, 2007 5:48 PM
Don't know if this is of any help, but when I work on a new graphics, I start with a transparent base layer, then add from there. I then save the image as .pspimage, and I can export it to the png optimizer, keeping the transparency and also keeping the original pspimage file (with all the layers) untouched. If I need to work on the .pspimage file, I just duplicate the window and work on that.

Daiwa
Reply #18 Wednesday, October 17, 2007 8:09 PM
Thanks for all the suggestions, guys/gals.

I'm a simple sort who usually starts with an image & then tries to make portions of it transparent - sounds like that's bassackwards. I'll see if working from transparent .pspimage files works better.

Daiwa
Reply #19 Saturday, October 20, 2007 10:01 PM
I started with a new image in .pspimage format with a trans background & created a new taskbar using native trans in a portion of the image. I saved it as a .png using the optimizer, selecting alpha channel trans & existing transparency. I then let SKS5 import the image & convert it to a .tga. After saving the skin, getting rid of the skin cache files & rebuilding the skin list, then applying the skin, WBConfig previews the Taskbar correctly but the actual Taskbar has no trans:



I double-checked the code settings: Trans=1, PerPixel=1, AlphaMode=0.

It appears that PSP8 saves the .png as a merged image & still strips the trans somehow, despite WBConfig's Preview, as when I open the .png, it looks different than the source .pspimage:



I feel a little like Alice, as in Wonderland.

Any additional ideas?

Daiwa
Reply #20 Saturday, October 20, 2007 11:48 PM
Doh.

Fixed the last problem - little matter of missing the Taskbar "Background Effect" setting.

Still not sure why the .png shows on a white background rather than a trans background, but at least it imports correctly.

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