HELP! Alpha issue with CS3

Ok I have done alpha and layer masking forever with no problems, I just installed CS3 followed the same steps I have always done when I save to 32 bit tga and reopen the file it loses the alpha.

I thought I was doing something wrong but I have sent the file to 2 other people with CS2 and CS3 they can save and upload my file and the transparency is there. We reversed the process and they send me a Psd file that saves transparencys for them in TGA 32 bit. I open thier PSD file and save as 32 bit TGA and it flattens. So I have come to the conclusion that it has to be some setting since my file works for them and not me. Anyone have any clues what it could be?

File is set to RGb 8 bit and is saved as TGA 32 bit no compression

Im pulling my hair out over this

Your file looks like it should work, Sparkle. Not sure what to tell you. I'm puzzled why you're using masks in places you really don't need them, and your image really needs a de-haloing layer in the background, but those are separate issues. Your alpha looks fine.

Have you tried uninstalling and reinstalling Photoshop?

Was your CS3 perhaps an upgrade from 7.0? If so, it's possible you've got the old bugged 7.0 TGA saver in place. Maybe try grabbing the 7.0.1 version from Adobe's website. http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=1544

If none of that works, then I'm stumped.

Can you post the TGA file you get when you save this?

Ya, it should work just fine.

Try something for the heck of it...just for fun. Select the same areas you would for the mask (the reveal parts)...then 'save selection'

After that, create the mask from the same selection.

Try that. I know it sounds stupid...but it's worked for me for some reason.

Thank you for responding. This is a full install of CS3 not an upgrade, I tried that targa plugin chosen still no change. I have attached the tga saved from the PSD file I posted earlier. The reason I used masks was only to simulate my usual work flow they weren't needed for the simple shapes I used for the test.

If I unistall and reinstall do I need to do anything special so that my registration stays ok?

On an aside not sure what you mean by a dehaloing layer.

I don't know how you created your alpha channel, but there's no grey in it (in the PSD file). It's 100% black and white (or looks to be so). If I create a fresh alpha from the transparency of your layers the TGA file exports fine.

More info...

Both the TGA file you attached and the one I created from your PSD in CS2 behave the same: the outside of the image is transparent and uploads to SL just fine. The partial transparency in the pink circles does not export because the alpha channel in the PSD is all black and white. Replacing the alpha channel fixes this.

Ok I replaced targa files then swapped back and it appears to work now when I upload thank you for all the advice.

Another question I have I was always able to see the transparencies when I looked at my psd files and saved tga files when I looked from PS though the open file otion but now I dont see the transparencies or masked areas unless I open the file. Is there a way to change that.