Alpha channels driving me nuts :/

[Kindra]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to this forum... and new to PSE6.0 aswell (used to use other programs)

I'm having trouble creating an alpha channel , think I have followed the instructions about 50 times now but it won't work properly:
instructions I received are:
-select entire layer,
-in 'selections tab' choose 'save selection (which should create the alpha channel)
-if needed add a black layer to hide white edges.

I need this to upload a tga file but the transparacy doesn't work and keeps giving me a white background.
Or a black if I use the extra black layer.

I did save my work as a 32 bit tga file (and checked the progression button)

What am I doing wrong here? HELP!!!:confused::(:confused:

[ATR]

What procedures are you reading and for what program?

If you are in Photoshop (NOT Photoshop Elements) and Select Menu/All, followed by Select Menu/Save Selection, you will indeed get an Alpha Channel at the bottom of the Channels Palette.

However, Photoshop Elements does not have Alpha Channel nor Channel Palette. You can save a selection in Photoshop Elements via your Select Menu/All, followed by Select Menu/Save Selection. Your selection is embedded in the project and can be retrieved by going Select Menu/Load Selection. There is no "hang out" spot, like a Channels Palette, for it.

I do not have experience uploading tga graphics, so it is not apparent to me why you need a selection. Does the upload site offer any instructions? If need be, I will look around to see what I can come up with.

Please let us know why we are not on the same track?

ATR

[ATR]

I did a quick search. Is this the type of thing that you are working on?

http://www.access4alldesign.com/tutorial_tex1.pdf

It would appear that with the procedures you described, Photoshop Elements cannot do it. You need Photoshop.

I would have to study the project more careful to try to figure out if there is a workaround in Photoshop Elements to get a .tga that will upload for you by any means.

ATR

[TonyW]

Not sure if this thread helps:

http://www.slexchange.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&p=122440

Tony

[Kindra]

Thanks for the replies :)

I'm using Photoshop Elements 6.0 (the full version is a bit to expensive for me). There seems to be a lot of discussion around about weather PSE supports these channels or not, though there are people who say they had success making one.

The .tga file is used to place a 2D image on a 3D object and keeps the transparancy exaclty how you made it on the 2D image (IF you inserted an alpha channel, otherwise the areas that should be transparant will be white)
For example: The game Second life uses tga's, 32 bit files, for uploading self-made textures to objects, clothing, buildings, etc... This is why I need them also.

I used to work with 3 different programs to get the right result... the person who sold me PSE said I would only need this one now :(


ATR: PSE does load tga files, they just don't have the correct alpha in them.
The selection is needed to specify what parts of the image have to be opaque and what part has to be transparant.

ok, I'm going back to strugling with my files, lol

thanks for the help, any more is very much welcome!
:rolleyes::)

[Kindra]

Finally found it and it DOES work in Photoshop Elements 6.0

The problem with PSE is that it will create an alpha channel once. If you alter the image and need the alpha channel ajusted it won't override it, so you have to delete the first one and then make a new one.

In case others need to know how to do this:
Here are the right steps (hint, don't make alpha channels untill the very last minute)

- hide all the layers you don't want to use in your image
- select all the layers that you will use:
-------do this by clicking the thumbnail + cntrl key (somehow it doesnt work if you just use the magic wand). You should see your image selected with an outline + a square selection around it.
- go to the selections menue
-choose "save selection" now it will create an alpha channel which you won't see, but it is there
-name the selection (it has to have a name or it doesnt save)
(-----if you see other selections in the dropdown box here, go delete them first and start over, it can't have other alpha channels because it will only save one and won't override, delete them to be sure!!)
- deselect (by clicking "deselect" in the selections menu)
- create a new layer and pull it to the bottom so it is the last one you see in the layers table
---- collor it darkgray or black (this will get rid of white halo's)
- save as tga file, 32 bit,DON'T compress.
Your done.


Thanks for the help and the links here, they where helpfull :)

[GaryK]

Hi Kindra

Glad you found a workaround.:)

I will have to try saving more than one selection in PE6. I am sure I have done it in previous versions.:confused:
If I recall correctly, they are lost when you save or close the image, unless saved as a PSD file.

Whether or not these save selections can work as you desire, is another question.;)

[Kindra]

Hey GaryK

Let me know if you find something :)

I must say, strugling with a problem for a while is an excelent way to learn a program, lol... think I'm going to become a PS addict soon:)

[Michel B]

Hi Kindra

Glad you found a workaround.:)

I will have to try saving more than one selection in PE6. I am sure I have done it in previous versions.:confused:
If I recall correctly, they are lost when you save or close the image, unless saved as a PSD file.

Whether or not these save selections can work as you desire, is another question.;)

PSE6 can save several selections saved under different names if you save with PSD format.

I have no idea about working with tga files. What is the purpose of those semi-transparent layers? Is it something like creating clipping layer groups for masking purposes? I have found a way to transform a grayscale layer into a semi-transparent layer where luminosity is replaced by opacity:
http://www.photoshopcreativeelements.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=994

[GaryK]

Michel

Thanks for the confirmation.:)