Textures and Channels?

I've read dozens of guides and tutorials about using and applying channels but i still dont understand them. Im trying to make a hair texture with fringe but when i apply the alpha channel that I made, it just shows the solid texture. can anyone help explain how to apply and use channels in layman's terms? ^^;
P.S. I use Gimp.

The absolute best, easiest-to-understand tutorial on channels is Robin Wood's. It's at http://www.robinwood.com/Catalog/Technical/SL-Tuts/SLTutSet.htmlTake time to work through her examples. Don't just read along and nod.

Ive already done all that, -.-
I just dont understand how to get the channel I made to show up and work when I upload my texture, Gimp doesnt have the option to save as a 32 bit Targa.

Explains Gimp Channels and Layers. I think you are talking about applying a layer mask rather than a channel. You can transfer the alpha channel to a layer mask, which you can apply to convert back to an alpha channel.

If you have multiple layers, when you save as a .tga file it will ask if you want to flatten the image or merge layers. Flattening will give a 24 bit file with no alpha channel, merging layers will give a 32 bit file with an alpha channel.

http://gimp-savvy.com/BOOK/node28.html

Explains Gimp Channels and Layers. I think you are talking about applying a layer mask rather than a channel. You can transfer the alpha channel to a layer mask, which you can apply to convert back to an alpha channel.

If you have multiple layers, when you save as a .tga file it will ask if you want to flatten the image or merge layers. Flattening will give a 24 bit file with no alpha channel, merging layers will give a 32 bit file with an alpha channel.

An easy way to apply an alpha channel to your image in GIMP is to go to the "layer" tab and pull down the menu. Find "transparency" and apply it to the layer. If you take that route then each layer needs the same treatment. Then when you save as TGA you get the option to either merge or flatten.........and as someone already said merging saves the alpha (32 bit) and flattening removes the alpha channel (24 bit). You can also go the layer mask way. I little more envolved but not much. Or you can do as I do which is start my project off with a 100% transparent "background". It's simple and never fails. I made two transparent backgrounds (one at 1024 x 1024 and one at 512 x 512).......I named them "1024 transpaent template" and "512 transparent template". I keep them in the same folder I made for the SL clothing templates. Any time I need a layer to draw on I simply "open as layer" one of the templates that fits the size of my image. It also helps if you are cutting something from the background and want to put the cut out part on another background or otherwise use it. When I save I either merge or flatten depending on what I want. But I do all my textures with alpha channels (even the ones I know will be 24 bit when saved).

I probably made that clear as mud.......

Lol thanks yall for the replies (evern the double post ;P) Lets see if I can get the hang of thangs now XD