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jcsix694
Participant
May 22, 2019
Answered

Alpha Channel on PNG

  • May 22, 2019
  • 3 replies
  • 39743 views

Hi all,

On a previous version off PS, I used to be able to create an Alpha Channel on a PNG for the area I want to be transparent. Ever since a few updates ago, whenever I do this and Export as PNG, I loose the Alpha Channel.

I also tried saving the file as a PNG, but all the layers get flattened with a padlock.

Is there a way to do this again?

    Correct answer D Fosse

    An alpha channel in itself does not define transparency in Photoshop. Yes, it does in some other applications for specialist uses, but Photoshop uses alpha channels for a wide variety of purposes, not just transparency.

    You need to either use the alpha channel as a layer mask, or load it as a selection to delete the transparent areas. Then Export or Save For Web with transparency enabled.

    3 replies

    davescm
    Community Expert
    davescmCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 22, 2019

    Hi

    Try the SuperPNG plug in https://www.fnordware.com/superpng/

    It gives you control over export so you can embed an Alpha channel in the PNG and options on how to treat Alpha on opening a PNG  (i.e use as transparency or create a separate channel).

    Dave

      D Fosse
      Community Expert
      D FosseCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      May 22, 2019

      An alpha channel in itself does not define transparency in Photoshop. Yes, it does in some other applications for specialist uses, but Photoshop uses alpha channels for a wide variety of purposes, not just transparency.

      You need to either use the alpha channel as a layer mask, or load it as a selection to delete the transparent areas. Then Export or Save For Web with transparency enabled.

        J
        Joshycage
        Participant
        September 23, 2021

        Thank you D Fosse,

        This worked for me! In the past I would use the Alpha Channel saved into png to get rid of the halo around artwork. I followed your direction, I put the transfered the alpha to layer mask as you suggessted to get rid of the white halo around my png logo.

         

        Thanks!

        Michael Bullo
        Community Expert
        Michael BulloCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        May 22, 2019

        I don't follow your issue totally. Try the method I've outlined below. If it doesn't work please elaborate a little more on the method you have been using to export out your files. Include a screen shot if it helps.

        File > Export > Export As

        Format: PNG

        Transparency: Turn on option

        J
        jcsix694Author
        Participant
        May 22, 2019

        Hi Michael.

        So to explain the whole situation a little more. I do some texture editing in my spare time, and I used to do the following process:

        File > Save As > PNG

        I would do this for every texture and the game would load the texture, and they would save as Layer 1 and not locked (If the texture did have or did not have transparency). I noticed when the texture had transparency and I used this method, a white outline would appear around the texture, for example (On the Left):

        M8h2nvs.png

        To overcome this, I used to do the following process which would result on the right side image above:

        • Select the whole image which will be shown
        • Go to Channels and create a a new Alpha layer
        • Go Back to Layers and create a new layer. Place this under the created texture and fill this with #000000
        • Save the texture

        Whenever I saved a file as a PNG, it used to save as Layer 1 without a padlock. Now when I save as a PNG since a few updates ago, it is locked and set as Background if there is no transparency. Using the Export process works for what I need (To save as a PNG but not set as a background).

        However using this still creates the white outline on textures which has transparency, so I tried at creating a Alpha layer like previously, but the Alpha layer is not exporting with the texture.

        I hope this some what explains what I am trying to do, if you need any more details please let me know.

          Michael Bullo
          Community Expert
          Michael BulloCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          May 22, 2019

          Thanks for the extra info.

          Have you tried the method I outlined in my first post? This takes advantage of a relatively new exporting method in Photoshop and may give you a better/different result.

          If that doesn't work it sounds like davescm has a great solution.

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