PSP Help needed please

Hi: I need help; I have no trouble with transparency. But I cant seem to make transparency that is semi transparent - like colored glass - or etched glass; or tinted glass; It looks beautiful in PSP, then I get it to Sl and its flat and transparent. I don't have and cant afford Photoshop. I am terribly frustrated; I am a pretty good pixel artist in PSPs, but transferring what I can create there to Sl has me pulling out my hair. I can make anything look 3d in Paintshop, but making it flat so that it becomes 3d in Sl is another story lol.

I am also frustrated with understanding how to use the offsets - what all they can do; I have been through the in world Tutorial by Robin and I have read the Alpha channel thread here, but I seem to have to learn my experimentation or hands on.

So, can someone please hold my hand and give me baby steps on creating tinted glass- texture - like for example a store name/log that goes on a window. or an etched glass door. And, also more on offsets and what can be done with them.

Thanks in advance.

Lucinda

Hi Lucinda, I have just started learning how to do transparencies and semi-transparencies, so I know there are others that can help much more than I can. I use PSE4 and had a very hard time making something semi-transparent. Then I downloaded for free GIMP and I use it for that purpose. PSE4 does not show the Alpha channel but GIMP does. On the Alpha channel you fill it with colour from black to a light gray, depending on how much semi-transparent of an item you want., then save it. I made a simple skirt last night and did just that. I did just enough so that the body behind the skirt can be seen but not any major details. As many have stated before, always view your work with the SL viewer before you pay for the upload. Have it placed on the body where it belongs and it will show you how it will appear once it is uploaded. These are just my 2 cents, keep at it and you will get it done. I always say, if I can do it, anyone can .

Hi: and thanks for your response; I guess I am going to check out gimp; I understood that the need was for gray in the alpha channel, but I dont know how to do that in PSP; the alphas in PSP seem to be black and while and I dont know how to create gray in the alpha channel. I know there is at least one experienced resident here that uses PSP - I use version 10, but still have 9 as well. I did meet someone who makes very nice clothes using gimp, so I think I will check it out, but I would still like to know how this is done in PSP if anyone out there would be kind enough to explain.

Thanks again, and thanks to the Mods who give their time here these forums are great resource for newbies and the seasoned!

In PSP 10 and above there is a function to reveal the alpha channel and edit directly, view overlay its called in the layers palette. No need to get the gimp*tard.

Oh bless you! That is wonderful; I have been using this since version 7 you would think I would have known this! but I am self taught and I guess i did not need ti till now. Thanks so much for the tip!