semi transparent texture using PSE

Ive read all the tutorials etc about alpha textures and I have the basic knowledge of photoshop elements. I have also had success creating a texture in which part is opaque and part transparent like clothes for example. The difficulty Im having is creating a texture that graduates from opaque to transparent or even one that is completely semi transparent.
Ive actually been trying for months so pleas dont leave a reply that says "you need to make an alpha channel and save as TGA" as I already know that.
Perhaps Elements cannot do this, if so maybe someone could tell me that so I stop trying. Ive tried using gradients but when I upload it is not transparent. any help would be appreciated. Cheers.

I don't have PS Elements, neither have I needed to make a texture that graduates between opaque and transparent, but can give you something to try.

If you make an alpha channel, the black is fully transparant and white is totally opaque. If you make it shades of gray inbetween, that will give you a full range of transparancies.

In CS2 I change the Alpha Layer colour to between white and black, start with 50% grey then try.

Or, make a Alpha chanel complete transparent, just black, then in layers 1 layer in whatever colour but 100% opacity, then resize to 512 or 256 etc, flatten upload.

Oh, don't forget to save as TGA. LOL I know you know just joking

Ive done all this and it doesnt work, just turns out grey white or black

Once you create your layer, and alpha channel, make sure they are both visible, together you can actually see them, the alpha channel behind will make your work layer look red-pink.

Then, flatten and resize and save as a 32 Bit TGA not 24 Bit.

I hope this is similar in PS Elements as described.

Failing that I am in world, you could IM me and go through it then step by step if your computer will allow to run both programs together

Also, you do not need to upload the image to see if it is Transparent.

Just click on upload image in SL, then click your image and you can view it there and see if it is transparent.

If it is transparent you will see the little grey and white chequer boxes and not solid colour where your transparency is.

I never flatten, and transparency still works for me, also helps when I test on Beta Grid I can work on the same file and make those small adjustments when it's not quite a sharp enough transparency in the corners etc

If this is for a shirt/skirt/pants sort of clothing, this won't affect you, but if you are doing a prim, keep in mind that SL suffers from the OpenGL alpha sorting issue, so it might be difficult to tell if you have the graduated transparency.. when the stupid prim keeps vanishing into the one below it.

Beta grid is a life saver for texture testing!

This thread would get the appropriate attention if it was in Texturing Tips, not Resident Answers. Ask this question there, and it's far more likely that the best of the best will give you an answer faster.