admin
09-30-2001, 04:29 PM
RagnarokZ
Posts: 1
(8/10/01 9:34:15 pm )
Reply
Alpha Channel Hell
I'm trying to save a photoshop file as two files: the image data and the alpha map. I can
extract the alpha map into a separate file easily (even have a little macro for it). My
problem is that I cannot remove pixel-specific transparency from the image data. As in, I
cannot remove the alpha channel without it applying the transparency to the image data.
What I would like is to make all the transparent pixels in a layer into fully opaque versions
of themselves (same H/S/B, different 100% opacity). If i do flatten image, photoshop
applies the transparency to the background color. I'm really in a bind. I think what needs
doing is accessing the PSD file's internal alpha channel data, and deleting it. Does anyone
have a clue, or know someone I could ask? please post your reply here as well as email me
at ragnarokz@hotmail.com Thanks a ton!
--Tim A.
Greg Vander Houwen
ezOP
Posts: 107
(8/11/01 10:53:51 am )
Reply
Re: Alpha Channel Hell
Hi Tim and welcome,
If I am reading you right, you have an alpha that is active as a Layer Mask and you want to
have the mask and the image on the layer it is masking saved out as separate files.
Use your action to pull the mask off to its own file. Then drag the layer mask to the layer's
trash and click discard in the dialog. This will restore the original hidden pixels to view.
Then Flatten and save.
The PSD's internal mask is a one way thing. Once it is applied the original pixels are gone.
If you could access it you would see a mask that would look like what you would expect
but it is simply telling PS where, and at what level of opacity, pixels appear over
transparency. The original pixels left this world when the mask was applied.
You can make a real alpha from an internal transparency mask by Command/Cntrl clicking
on any layer icon that has had transparency applied and then saving the selection. But
there is no way other than undo/history to recover the lost pixels. They are not hidden,
they are gone.
Greg
Posts: 1
(8/10/01 9:34:15 pm )
Reply
Alpha Channel Hell
I'm trying to save a photoshop file as two files: the image data and the alpha map. I can
extract the alpha map into a separate file easily (even have a little macro for it). My
problem is that I cannot remove pixel-specific transparency from the image data. As in, I
cannot remove the alpha channel without it applying the transparency to the image data.
What I would like is to make all the transparent pixels in a layer into fully opaque versions
of themselves (same H/S/B, different 100% opacity). If i do flatten image, photoshop
applies the transparency to the background color. I'm really in a bind. I think what needs
doing is accessing the PSD file's internal alpha channel data, and deleting it. Does anyone
have a clue, or know someone I could ask? please post your reply here as well as email me
at ragnarokz@hotmail.com Thanks a ton!
--Tim A.
Greg Vander Houwen
ezOP
Posts: 107
(8/11/01 10:53:51 am )
Reply
Re: Alpha Channel Hell
Hi Tim and welcome,
If I am reading you right, you have an alpha that is active as a Layer Mask and you want to
have the mask and the image on the layer it is masking saved out as separate files.
Use your action to pull the mask off to its own file. Then drag the layer mask to the layer's
trash and click discard in the dialog. This will restore the original hidden pixels to view.
Then Flatten and save.
The PSD's internal mask is a one way thing. Once it is applied the original pixels are gone.
If you could access it you would see a mask that would look like what you would expect
but it is simply telling PS where, and at what level of opacity, pixels appear over
transparency. The original pixels left this world when the mask was applied.
You can make a real alpha from an internal transparency mask by Command/Cntrl clicking
on any layer icon that has had transparency applied and then saving the selection. But
there is no way other than undo/history to recover the lost pixels. They are not hidden,
they are gone.
Greg