Question RE PSPXI Alpha Channel

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below is a skirt im working on ... with Paint Shop Pro XI

normally when i make something using an Alpha channel,
i complete the whole thing, and then i save it.

well with this skirt i had to save it *before* i finished it

so now when i return to it in order to add 2 more transparent sections
(to the tummy and the back of the skirt marked with the RED X's),
im at a loss as to how to do it, cos no matter what ive tried,
those 2 areas come out white.

if anyone knows a 1-2-3 quick step on how to make the other
2 sections transparent, after it has been previously saved,
id appreciate it.

thanks

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1. Open the existing alpha channel as a mask. (Layers -> Load/Save Mask -> Load Mask From Alpha Channel)

2. Delete the existing alpha channel. I don't remember the exact command for this (been a while since I've used PSP), but I'm pretty sure it's Image -> Delete Alpha Channel... -> Delete all alpha channels -> OK. If that's not it, it's something very similar.

3. Make your desired changes to the mask, and then save it back to an alpha channel (Image -> Load/Save Mask -> Save Mask To Alpha Channel)

4. Delete the mask. and save the image as 32-bit TGA.


I'm guessing Step 2 was probably where you'd been going wrong. If you don't delete the existing alpha channel(s) before saving the new one, you can end up with more than one, in which case there will be no transparency in the TGA. Alpha channels are like Western gods or like Highlander immortals; there can be only one.

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thanks so much for answering ...

i knew it had something to do with Delete,
but i would have never have known about it in Image
without you steering me in the right direction!

so below is a quickie test showing the changes i will eventually make
as well as the path i took that led to enlightenment and deliverance ...
... thanks to you ... Lord of the Watchtower ...

1. i made a copy of the original pic above and renamed it TEST
2. i opened the file in PSP
3. so to get started ... click LAYERS
4. click "Load/Save Mask"
5. then click "Load Mask From Alpha Channel"
6. click "Load"

7. then click IMAGE ... on the top left of LAYERS
8. then click "Delete Alpha Channel" ... near the bottom
9. click "Delete"
10. click "YES"

11. now make the changes or additions ... you will see the checkerboard

12. again ... click LAYERS
13. click "Load/Save Mask"
14. then click "Save Mask to Alpha Channel"
15. click "Save"

16. save file as TGA, and click "YES"

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You could just go to Image>delete Alpha Channel. That will delete any alpha channels that you have in the image and then you can just redo them.