Can't save the Alpha in .png texture files
by Aten India · in Technical Issues · 07/24/2008 (7:54 pm) · 12 replies
For some reason I can't save my textures in the .png format with an alpha - the alpha channel never gets saved but the texture does. I'm using Photshop and it says I have to save as a copy but the alpha check box and save as copy check box is grayed out. Anyone know how to fix that?
I've tried both SuperPNG and the plugin that comes with Photoshop.
It's getting very frustrating not being able to save alpha channels.
Thanks.
I've tried both SuperPNG and the plugin that comes with Photoshop.
It's getting very frustrating not being able to save alpha channels.
Thanks.
#2
07/24/2008 (8:47 pm)
I tried that, but when I open the saved .png in Photoshop, there is still no Alpha channel. Even though there is one when I save it. I even checked to make sure I checked the transparency check box. 
#3
Here is the steps I just did to make a correct png: Created a new image, setting the background contents to "transparent", Then, drew a couple of rectangles into some new layers. I merged these together to make a single layer with transparency. Then chose "Save for Web and Devices", seleted transparency and PNG-24 as the type. Then I closed the image and reopened it to verify it was correct (it was).
07/24/2008 (8:58 pm)
Save for Web and Devices works for me in CS3 - did you turn on transparency and select "png-24" as the type? Did you delete the background layer?Here is the steps I just did to make a correct png: Created a new image, setting the background contents to "transparent", Then, drew a couple of rectangles into some new layers. I merged these together to make a single layer with transparency. Then chose "Save for Web and Devices", seleted transparency and PNG-24 as the type. Then I closed the image and reopened it to verify it was correct (it was).
#4
Thanks very much.
One other question, does .png support different degrees of transparency?
07/24/2008 (10:05 pm)
I didn't delete the background layer.Thanks very much.
One other question, does .png support different degrees of transparency?
#5
Thanks very much.
One other question, does .png support different degrees of transparency?
07/24/2008 (10:31 pm)
I didn't delete the background layer.Thanks very much.
One other question, does .png support different degrees of transparency?
#6
07/25/2008 (8:15 am)
Yes, its a channel like any other that can have a value between 0 - 255 
#7
When it started supporting PNG, it had alot of issues with it. And not all of them have been resolved.
Thankfully, there is a plug-in called superPNG which fixes them all.
Search for it and download it.
07/26/2008 (7:12 pm)
Don't use PNG on photoshop.When it started supporting PNG, it had alot of issues with it. And not all of them have been resolved.
Thankfully, there is a plug-in called superPNG which fixes them all.
Search for it and download it.
#8
07/26/2008 (7:23 pm)
Tyler - "Save for Web & Devices" works great for png's in photoshop now. What sort of issues are you seeing? I use it for png's all the time. 
#9
(I prefer the GIMP on Linux/Windows, and I'm mostly liking the Pixelmator trial for Mac)
07/26/2008 (9:10 pm)
When I'm forced to use Photoshop, Save for Web works for me, as long as the hindmost layer is deleted. I also flatten the image (merge layers) for good measure :)(I prefer the GIMP on Linux/Windows, and I'm mostly liking the Pixelmator trial for Mac)
#10
Thanks
Please not the 3rd image.
08/25/2008 (11:07 pm)
I am trying to save a Specular in a png diffuse texture. But for some reason Torque Advanced uses it as an alpha... I am using SuperPNG. Also, I can't get the normal map to show.Thanks
Please not the 3rd image.
#11
10/14/2012 (12:16 am)
PNG with transparencies is a 32 bit format (PNG32). The other formats within the PNG group are PNG8=gif, PNG24=jpg. 
Associate Jaimi McEntire
King of Flapjacks