PSP 8+ Alpha's :: How To

I replied to another thread with this but then was having questions on where to find it. So will put it on it's own thread and hopefully easier to find. For PSP vs 8+, creating alpha textures.

Open/create your image you are going to be working on - edit it accoriding to your design. When you are done with the image, have it on a single rasta layer - name it [b]image[/b].

Create a new rasta layer - name it [b]alpha[/b], accept defaults (trans background) and then drag it UNDER your alpha rasta later.

In the layers panel, click on the image layer to select it.

This is the part that makes the actual alpha from the image:

Using your selection tool > rectangle, drag across the entire image - the 'dancing ants' will appear as a box around the entire image. Left click onto the actual image you made, the dancing ants will 'snap' to the edges of it.

With your image selected, go to the [b]SELECTIONS[/b] menu, then to [b]LOAD/SAVE SELECTION[/b] > [b]SAVE SELECTION TO ALPHA CHANNEL[/b]. Accept defaults, click OK

Then name it/save it as a [b].tga[/b] and you're all done!

The key to PSP8/9 alphas is to have a transparent background and only TWO layers, the alpha always being on bottom. When you are selecting the image that you've made, that is telling PSP's alpha tools that's the only part you want visible.

Now, there is an issue with a 'halo' being around the image, which is the faint white line that appears when you upload the alpha to SL. I'll try to explain this best as I can, but never really able to make it crystal clear to everyone

To fix this, flood fill the alpha raster layer with the dominate color of your image. (so if you are making a black tattoo, then flood fill the alpha raster layer with black, etc etc)

Or for better quality, you can paint the alpha layer picking up the colors from the image layer with a nice big paint brush setting (like 20). This is great when you have an image that has many colors that go to the edge of it. Just paint the colors that are on the edge of the image, no need to work on the inner part of the image that won't be 'touching' the edge of the alpha. Once you have this done, flood fill the rest if you like. Start at step 4 and work down. ZOOM IN!! ZOOM is your friend!!

This takes some practice, but when done right you will have a nice clear, crisp edge to your PSP made alpha!

Play around with it, practice makes perfect.
HAVE FUN!

Gotta disagree. You can have as many layers as you want, and you can control your alpha much more precisely than you might think. Simply use a mask and then save the mask to alpha. For precise instructions, check the PSP tutorial in the transparency guide at the top of this forum (tested with versions 9 and 10), but the gist of it is this:

1. Put all your layers into a group.
   
   
   
2. Apply a mask to the group and "paint" the transparency onto the mask.
   
   
   
3. Save the mask to alpha.
   
   
   
4. Delete the mask and save the file to TGA.

Yep, you sure can. However the instructions I posted were meant to be the easiest way to create an alpha with good results.

Of course anything can be more complicated by adding extra steps and using advanced features. But for me, simplier is always better if it has a great result and when starting off it's always easier to catch on and retain the information. Of anyone I've shown how to make alpha's with these steps, no one has ever come back and said anything like 'I just can't get it'. Everyone thus far has been able to do them and then work from there on more advanced ways to make them. It's just a matter of how you want to go about doing it. Using the selection > save to alpha channel is one way. Using grouped masks is another. Doesn't necessarily mean that my steps are wrong

So I should have stated that in the beginning, my bad for confusing or giving the impression that it's the *only* way of making alpha in PSP.

Unless I'm mistaken, Flaming Pear filters all work with PSP too. So you can use the Solidify filter from their Free-Plugins (here) to fill the layer you're using to eliminate the White Halo.

Just like we do in PS.

oh interesing, never thought of that. I haven't used FP in years, for some reason I never really liked all the filter plugins LOL

But, I'll play with it and see what kinda mess I can come up with *wheeeeeeeeeee*

Hello I read bout this posting and i see you guys are talking about psp 8.. would u be so kind and some one explain me how to do this in the psp7??.. i try to do it but when i make it only the part that wasnt inside of the marching ants are invicible the rest of the picture still white.
Mayve its cos i have download a tube and im just pasting in in a transparent layer?..
let me xplain my metod..LOL

1)Open atransparent layer.
2)open palete and drop a tube.
3)go to layers and click nee raster layer and rename it image as you guys said .
4)in this stpe is wher you guys say i need to drag one image to the top of the other ,, but i only see one ,, where is the second layer?
5) selection the marching ants
6) selection load from alpha chanel.
and when i upload in SL only the part that wasnt inside the marching ants are transparent.
Can any one help me plz plz ??


Hugiess

You missed making a new layer, that's where it's missing. Give it a go, remember you need the image layer AND the alpha layer. PSP7 might not let you do them, I had an issue with it.

Good Luck!