Strange Problem.

I've got a strange problem I don't see anyone else complaining of.

I can't save my alpha channels. Don't got the option to save alpha channels at all actually.

Going to attach a screen shot, this is the sequence of events I did to get to this screenshot.

Open Photoshop 7

Filepen:Eye_blahblahkay

Fileave as:Change type to Targacreenshot

I'm baffled, this is strange.

Edit: Added second image.
Edit2: Added what i'm getting in game once the "default" eye image is uploaded as a 32b targa. (Snap5)
Edit3: Changed default alpha layer to solid black. Added result. (Snap6) [Diff color eyes for S&G]

Do you hit save after you change the file type to a targa?

Maybe you already know this...but just in case...targas can be saved as either 24 bit or 32 bit. When you change the file type to targa, hit save, and a dialog box should pop up, pick the 32bit option to save your alpha channel.

Or, are you not getting the dialog box after you hit save?

I'm getting the box, but irregardless, I can make the alpha channel black or white and it makes no difference. Once uploaded, even the default that SL provides comes out with the entire white part of the eye solid whatever color i change the tint to.

I'm not even getting the option in the save dialog to turn the saving of the alpha channel on, unless its done automagically when you select 32bit regardless of it was on or off on the previous screen.

Kinda getting vaguely annoyed with it now, i've uploaded a good dozen images as tests. *grumble*.

As long as you select 32 bit, it *should* automagically (that's way cute, I'm gonna have to use it sometime! ) save the alpha, regardless of if the box was checked on the previous dialog box.

Try saving as a 32 bit and let me know how it works, I'll have to do some searching for an answer if it doesn't work for you.


edit:

Ugh, I just saw the additional pix you posted, is that the result from saving it as a 32 bit?

heh, see above Just tried it again off of a fresh .psd file, I added a SS of the result to my original post. Weirding me out, had a problem earlier where photoshop was adding a huge smudged area everytime I stroked a selection... even in a brand new layer with a fresh selection. *sigh* Photoshop and I usually get along so well too. /

Edit: yeap, that's the default graphic, no changes made by me.

Ok, I have one idea....is the layer locked? I have problems with saving alphas on images with locked layers sometimes (doesn't have to be manually locked...if it's the original layer (usually titled background), I have the same problem). Try to copy the background layer and then delete the original one, then save as a 32 bit.

Yes, it did have a locked back ground layer, i removed it and put nothing in its place but had the same issue. Went back and decided to start from scratch, cut the UV layer from the old image pasted it into the new image and cut only the iris template from the original image and pasted it into its own layer, made sure my eyeball lined up right and took the resulting good layer and made a new image out it. It seems to save in with the alpha channel okie. No matter what i do to the "template" SL provides in that zip file it isn't working for crap though. They should probally have someone look at it and see why... i don't imagine this is isolated to me, it may just be a problem with the eyeball graphic, shrug dunno. :/

Hmm, well, at least it's working for you now. I haven't had that problem with any of the templates, but I usually copy my working layers into a new image and then merge the layers and save. Maybe you should drop a bug report on LL about it...they may have no idea there is a problem with them.

Either way, glad it worked out for you. Sorry I wasn't much help.

Thanks for the help, it'twas appreciated... had me pretty peeved. End result is i have a nice set of kakashi sharingan eyes hehe... probally if i'd have looked around i could have found a set for less money than I spent uploading graphics *rofl*

I dont know if i have something set or not but im finding that when i do not need to have alpha channels made when saving .tga. I ensure that only the necessary layers are visible, save them at 32 bit and it seems as if they are automatically created. Maybe someone else is aware of this that can clue me in why? Either way it works great, seems to give a much cleaner import in SL than premade channels.

yea that made sense. what i ment is i dont need to make the alpha channels at all.

I do the same as tanya - no alpha layer for targas. It keeps the transparent areas then.

just make sure your original .psd file has transparent areas.
create a new layer (transparency) and put than in the back of your image layers. if you have transparent areas, the squares will show through, if not, delete your alpha channel layer you should see it.

Do you have ver 7 or 7.1? There is an issue with 7 involving transparencies. Update to 7.1.

I had the same problem. It went away when I upgraded. It's easy and free. If the download is not working (from www.adobe.com, of course) you must reinstall your PS then upgrade it.