alpha channel and png files

[janets]

When I try to import png file to iPhoto '09 the result is all black unless I go to save as and uncheck the alpha channel square. Then the black background is gone and I can see the png file. If I do this will the png file without the alpha channel work as well in PSE 6 for Mac as it did with it?

I have no idea what the alpha channel is so this is all a mystery to me.

thanks, Janet

[Wendy]

Hi Janet ...

The Alpha Channel is a Photoshop thing .... its a way using channels that you can save a selection when you are using Photoshop.

However I didn't think that you could save png files with a alpha channel ??

Where did you get the files from ..

Wendy :)

[janets]

I am sorry but I am not getting notified, I will check settings. I get the png downloads with the alpha channels from digital kits. The one I was initially working with with a kit from Jessica Sprague. When I check downloaded kits from Kate Peritiet it is the same. I just checked the Vera Lim set that came with SG this month. All pngs when I put them in preview and click save as have alpha channel checked. If the item is colored it will show in iPhoto but if as the alpha doodles, one is colored, one is not. I cannot see the plain one. I further experimented with dragging elements from iPhoto to PSE6 and if they are jpg it works great but not the png. So, at this point I will use iPhoto to see what everythings looks like all at the same time in a kit and note what I want to use and then go fetch them from my external hard drive where they are stored. Jessica Sprague uses ACDSee photo manager, which is for Windows, and it works great. So I was hoping I could do same with iPhoto.

I am going to put in the suggestion that in a kit if they would include a page that put every part of the kit in its own space so we could look at this sheet to select what we want to use. I find it very tiring to open one, then another etc. and then try to remember what I saw.
Maybe other have much better suggestions than I do and I am certainly open for what works on a Mac. Janet

[Wendy]

Hi Janet ...

OK I opened up "vlim_memories_beads-circle.png" and checked it in Photoshop ... and it does not have an alpha channel.

I opened it up in Elements and did Save As and no Alpha Channel shows at the bottom of the Saved As Box.

[/URL][URL="http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1hbh4GSYSzDBCSpkxOD0s8CalDTZ3k0"]http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1hbh4GSYSzDBCSpkxOD0s8CalDTZ3k0_thumb.png (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1hbh4GSYSzDBCSpkxOD0s8CalDTZ3k0)

I uploaded it into iPhoto and it shows up just fine although it has a black background.

I then opened it up resaved it ... imported it into iPhoto and its exactly the same ??

http://www.pixentral.com/hosted/1Tsy3VHra9Oz3vEul75egxPKgEqUFY_thumb.png (http://www.pixentral.com/show.php?picture=1Tsy3VHra9Oz3vEul75egxPKgEqUFY)

I'm now totally confused ... are you seeing just a black square ??

Wendy

[janets]

thanks for working with me on this. Try the alpha doodles, not colored. If the item in png is colored to begin with it shows up but if it is black on a grey background the block is all black. My preview, save as, shows a little box at the bottom with alpha channel marked. Now this is preview on Leopard not PSE, if PSE has preview? I did not open it in PSE before I did the preview. I just clicked on it in the kit and then preview etc.

So try a png with grey background and the item is black, like alpha doodles.

Janet

[Wendy]

Hi ...

Yes I had just worked out that it was a black on black thing ... but its not to do with Alpha Channels.

The Alpha in Preview is something different.

What you are doing is resaving the item, unchecking Alpha ... then importing into iPhoto.

iPhoto then shows the item on a white background instead of a black one ...

Try it with a white Elements and you won't be able to see that all you will see is a white square.

Wendy :)

[Wendy]

OK ...

I worked out what is happening ...

When iPhoto makes a thumbnail it makes it as a jpg ... now jpgs can't support transparency so it gets a background of either black or white (depending on how the original image is saved)

There isn't any way around it as its simply the way iPhoto generates thumbnails ... but as not many scrapbooking elements are totally black then it really shouldn't effect you too much.

Wendy :)

[janets]

Just returned from visiting my daughter and she said I should try to do what I want in Adobe Bridge. I may but not today.

Some kits use many overlays in black png and others don't use any. I just really like being able to see each item in a kit and all on one screen so I can pick and choose what I want to use.

I started this whole procedure because I was collecting kits and not using them because of just being able to open one item at a time and then trying to remember what it looked like and it just so frustrating. I figured if I got them organized then I would use what I have and not just be buying because they look so pretty.

I will chalk this all up to a great learning and I appreciate your help on the journey.

Janet:D

[Wendy]

Hi Janet ...

I use a folder system on my hard disk for all my scrapbooking kits and then use Bridge to access the files. I think Bridge is fantastic ..

Wendy :)
PS ... some people keep a copy of the Preview Image of the kit and use that as a quick guide to what is in the kit.