Adding transparency (complete noob question)

Thursday, January 6, 2005 by Grubby the octopede | Discussion: Skinning

Hi all!

I dunno if this question belongs here, but I figured you guys could offer me better help then any guide. I'm a complete noob when it comes to editing pictures and stuff, which is why I dont even know how to add transparency to something.

I wanted to make a simple dock icon for my phone. I downloaded a picture of it, and turned it into a square png file. Now I want the white background to be transparent, because I hate those ugly sharp white corners. Can anyone tell me whats the fastest/ easiest way to do this?? I tried it in Paint (I know), but I couldnt really figure out how to use the transparency option there. Can anyone offer me some quick help?? Thanx!
Koasati
Reply #1 Thursday, January 6, 2005 5:45 PM
The first thing you need is a decnt graphics editor. I don't think Paint will save transparent PNG's.
Do a search for the "The Gimp" for Windows, Paint Shop Pro, Photoshop, to name a few. Once you've decided which program you want to use, someone can begin to help you. But there's no "quick and easy" way to convert flat images to transparent PNG's, that I know of.......
greywolf001au
Reply #2 Wednesday, January 12, 2005 8:33 AM
I have been using adobe photoshop and paintshop pro and cannot save any image with transperancy unless I use the programs default image type which is not recognised by desktopx. eg psp, psd. when I change the file type it flattens the image and I lose the transparent layer. is there a particular pallette color thats recognised as transparent? or am I missing something.

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