Skip to main content
C
colint62392033
Participant
December 7, 2023
Answered

Export Multichannels as Transparent PNGs

  • December 7, 2023
  • 1 reply
  • 803 views

I have a multichannel file and I would like to export each channel as a separate transparent PNG. (I want to layer the separate PNGs on top of eachother for a project, so transparency is critical)

 

When I save a channel in a separate file and export as PNG with transparency activated, the file is not actually transparent. How can I export each chanel as a separate transparent PNG?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Stephen Marsh

Is the document mode Multichannel? If so, that colour mode doesn't support layers or transparency and the channels are white anyway.

 

Even if it is a transparent RGB mode, channels are always white where they are "blank", there is no transparency in a channel.

 

So if this is the case, you need to create transparency before saving the channels to PNG.

 

Use the channels panel menu command "split channels" then in each separate document, use your preferred method to create transparency from white (blend if, masks etc). Then save or export each doc to PNG.

1 reply

Stephen Marsh
Community Expert
Stephen MarshCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
December 7, 2023

Is the document mode Multichannel? If so, that colour mode doesn't support layers or transparency and the channels are white anyway.

 

Even if it is a transparent RGB mode, channels are always white where they are "blank", there is no transparency in a channel.

 

So if this is the case, you need to create transparency before saving the channels to PNG.

 

Use the channels panel menu command "split channels" then in each separate document, use your preferred method to create transparency from white (blend if, masks etc). Then save or export each doc to PNG.

C
colint62392033Author
Participant
December 8, 2023

Thanks for your response! Yes, the original file was a multichannel and I was able to save each channel and mask out the white leaving me with the information from each channel. The only problem now is that the color is gone and the info from each channel is just black. How can save each as the original color intended?

 

Thanks

Stephen Marsh
Community Expert
Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
Community Expert
December 8, 2023

Some like the colorize command in hue/saturation.

 

I like using RGB to grayscale to duotone mode, monotone, and then going back to RGB.

 

Others may use gradient map.

 

Some may use a solid fill layer and a clipping group.

 

As long as you get the result you want for recolouring.

Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices