Alpha question for psp7

ok..I finally made a sucessful alpha channel and have created an acceptable outfit. My question is this:

When you are saving to alpha channel, and it asks you to name the file, where does the file go? I tried searching for the name I gave it, but nothing turned up. Is there a way to save an alpha channel by itself so you can use it again with a different outfit, say another color or texture?


TIA
Anjaleka

Yep, you can save them to use again.
After you create your alpha channel click "masks" & "save to disk"
then it should pop up a window asking you where you'd like to save it.
I'd suggest using a detailed name since 7 displays just the text and not a preview.
Then, when you want to use it again go to "masks" & "load from disk"
By default I think it will be C:\Program Files\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 7\Masks


Sun

FABULOUS!!!

Thank you, Clio, for the info

Anjaleka

hi again, Sunshine *smiles* or anybody else who may be able to help.

I tried to save the alpha as you said, but the option to save to disk is grayed out. Any tips on what I might be doing wrong?

When I save an alpha, I make a new file, black background. Then copy the picture to the file as a new layer..then add a transparent layer. X out the new layer, leaving only the black and transparent. Then reduce color and create alpha. Then I save as a .psp, then a .tga. Am I missing a step that makes it so I cannot save a mask?

Thanks for any further help
Anjaleka

I tried to reproduce following the steps you mentioned but I got extremely lost.
So instead I'll try to just walk you through the steps I'd take to from the beginning.

1. Open your template (if you haven't snagged em yet http://www.slstream.com/chipmidnight/ )

2. Create your stuff on a new layer or as many layers as you need.

3. When you are done & happy hide everything you don't want to visible (the template basically) you don't need to merge anything.

4. Go to "masks" "new" & "from image." Make sure that "source opacity" is selected & that invert mask data is not.

5. Since you wanted to save it to disk you would now choose "masks" "save to disk"...name it, save it.

6. If you wanted to save it for use in SL you would then go to "masks" "save to alpha channel"
Now you can "save as" .tga (click ok through all the pop up crap, lol)

Should be set to go. If you open the image and it's now on a white background in psp, don't worry you didn't do anything wrong. Just go to "masks" "load from alpha channel" and it will be lovely & transparent again.

It's only hard until you get the steps down. Then you can cheat and create a custom toolbar where all it takes is pushing 3 buttons and about 7 seconds.

If this is still confusing and you need screen caps just holler...or if you ever want a quicker response I'm frequently logged into one IM or the other.

Sun

AWESOME!

Thanks for replying, Sunshine!! I'll give it a try later and let you know how it goes I appreciate the time you have taken to reply to my question!! Very detailed

Anjaleka

Hi again, Sunshine,

Ok...I followed your directions and it worked!!! yay!! Thank you so much Now my question is this...

How do I use the mask to create something in another color/texture/etc? I tried copying the mask as a new layer but that didn't work. I know I'm totally missing something here.

Thanks again
Anjaleka

OK..I figured it out!!!

Thanks so much ) I truly appreciate your help!!

Have a great day
Anjaleka

Anytime! I'm so glad it worked.


-Sun