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Pulling my prim hair out over backgrounds

Jennifer McLuhan
Smiles and Hugs are Free
Join date: 22 Aug 2005
Posts: 441
11-21-2005 19:02
What am I doing wrong? I have read numerous times how it is recommended to use a dark background under your clothing item and allow the alpha channel to determine what comes though and what is blocked.

Well, every time try this I get my skin showing the background material or color. I have tried just clicking on the alpha, so the blocked areas are red on the screen. I have tried putting the alpha template below the item layer. Each time when I look at the little model in the preview screen, she is covered with the background and wearing the clothing.

Strangely, when I don’t use a background layer, it works perfectly.

Jen
Drizzt Naumova
Teh Foxeh DJ
Join date: 9 Oct 2005
Posts: 116
11-21-2005 19:21
If you are using photoshop, you might need to make the background into a layer by doing this:
Go up to the toolbar to Layers > New > New layer from background and make the background a layer. Also, do you have the unused areas (i.e. uncolored/textured) of the image transparent? Oh and always remember, that on the alpha channel, black is transparent and white is solid.

*EDIT*
I just had a thought...is the background your speaking of got color to it? i.e. white, gray etc. if it is colored, then that would be your prob also. it need to be transparent if there isn't anything on it...besides, if the background is transparent, you can turn it into a layer by my above instructions and then delete it as it will be unused.
Chosen Few
Alpha Channel Slave
Join date: 16 Jan 2004
Posts: 7,496
11-22-2005 00:19
Sounds like you're using Photoshop 7.0, the only version of Photoshop which does not interpret alpha channels correctly for TGA files. To make a long story short, it was a failed experiment on Adobe's part, which they quickly corrected with the free update to version 7.0.1. If you're using 7.0, download the 7.0.1 update from Adobe and it will solve your problem.
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Jennifer McLuhan
Smiles and Hugs are Free
Join date: 22 Aug 2005
Posts: 441
11-22-2005 05:09
Chosen, once again your well of knowledge flows with the answer. It is PS7. Thanks. I will look into your suggestion. However, today, I am headed to my parent's home for a Texas style Thanksgiving.

So, incase I don't get another chance, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

Jen