How do you use Alpha channels on B&W images to create semi & full transparency?

[ParanormalJoey]

Hello!

I used to use alpha channels in the older versions of Photoshop to convert any white to transparency & any black to full opacity.

The alpha channel would also create varying degrees of transparency & opacity based on how white or black (grey, light grey etc...) any part of a black & white image was.

I've been searching high and low to try to find some help but I'm just at a loss.

Any help would be appreciated! I create tattoos for second life and after a few years hiatus I'd like to get back into it but unfortunately I can no longer use the old technique I had saved in an action. I lost the action I created but even when I try to reproduce the old steps it just doesn't work anymore.

Thanks in advance!

[c.pfaffenbichler · Accepted solution]

Good day!

You could

• Load the grey channel (cmd-click it in the Channels Panel) as a Selection

• invert the Selection (Select > Inverse)

• reset Foreground and Background Colour (D)

• Layer > New Fill Layer > Solid Color

• hide the original Layer/s by alt-clicking the new Layer’s visibility icon in the Layers Panel

Regards,

Pfaffenbichler

[ParanormalJoey]

Thanks for the tips I"ll try them out and mark it as the correct answer if it gives me the results I'm looking for

Appreciate it!

[ParanormalJoey]

Unfortunately when I do this and save it as TGA then bring it into Second Life there's a white background attached to it

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Please post screenshots.

Why tga?

Saving an image as TGA with transparency

[ParanormalJoey]

The old technique I used  it was required to save as TGA in order to get the results I was looking for which was to save the alpha channel with transparency. Again, this was using much older versions of PS. With your method saving as PNG gives me exactly what I'm looking for as the transparency level depends on how black the black parts of the image are. Perfecto!

It seems after doing some little tinkering this is the solution!! I can finally start creating new material for Second Life again

I can't thank you enough, this is huge for me as I actually earn real money off second life through my tattoo creations that are sold in second life's grid.

Major kudos!!! I'm gong to mark your answer as correct

If you're familiar with Second Life you can always visit me in world to view what it is exactly that I do there. Shop name in world is ::Para Designs::

[ParanormalJoey]

Oh wait, hold up. I think I was Alt-Clicking the wrong box. I was clicking the color fill mask. But, when I alt+Clicked the actual layer thumbnail and saved as PNG it seemed to work Might be on to something here!! I'll tinker with it more to see if this truly is the solution I've been seeking for MONTHS! lol

I'll mark your response as Correct  after tinkering a bit more to see if this consistently produces the results I'm looking.

Thanks again so much!