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Participating Frequently
February 27, 2018
Question

Alpha channel not working for placed image

  • February 27, 2018
  • 6 replies
  • 10173 views

Hi!

I am trying to place an image with transparency created with alpha channel in my artwork, but the alpha channel won't work and in the links panel the transparency is set to "no".

In InDesign the alpha channel works fine, so I know there is no problem with the image / alpha channel per se.

Upon placing the image (TIF) into Illustrator, I am not getting any import options, although I have checked the box for this option. Are there none available?

Have found a work around - (deleting the background), but it bugs me that I can't work with alpha channels, so it would be great to understand why this doesn't work in this case above.

Thanks in advance!

/Charlotta

This topic has been closed for replies.

6 replies

Known Participant
January 21, 2021

I have the same problem. I have tried several files with alpha channels and its ths same each time. 

thanks

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 22, 2021

If your version is not CC2018, then please create a new thread and tell us step by step what you are doing, the exact nature of the file and what exactly happens.

Participant
September 8, 2020

I would like to see illustrator support alpha channels in illustrator. It would help my workflow. Seems like illustrator does support it. Although illustrator puts it behind the artboard. 

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
September 8, 2020

Not sure how you mean that - Alpha channels in PNGs?

Or alpha channels in general? Have you tried out opacity masks?

 

Anyway: Please post bugs & feature requests to http://illustrator.uservoice.com

Ton Frederiks
Community Expert
Community Expert
February 27, 2018

You can use a Layer Mask instead of an Alpha channel.

Inspiring
February 27, 2018

Ton,

A layer mask is an alpha channel (look in the channels panel when you make one)

Ton Frederiks
Community Expert
Community Expert
February 27, 2018

A layer mask appears next to the layer and shows the transparency of the layer in the image window.

An Alpha channel shows only how it affects transparency when an application reads and applies it.

Inspiring
February 27, 2018

Are you sure you ticked the checkbox "Save Transparency' in the second dialogue when saving as tiff out of Photoshop?

Participating Frequently
February 27, 2018

Yes, I am sure. (Otherwise it wouldn't work in InDesign either.)

cinziamarotta
Participating Frequently
February 27, 2018

Hi,

Can You please post a screenshot of your TIFF into Illustrator document?

Participating Frequently
February 27, 2018

Can't do that due to company secrecy but it is an ordinary product image with white background.

Legend
February 27, 2018

One idea: try PNG instead.

Participating Frequently
February 27, 2018

It is a file for print, so PNG won't do the work as it is RGB ...

Legend
February 27, 2018

That's a pity... how about PSD?