How do i create PNG's with transparency?

[Avarax]

1. How do i create PNG's with transparency?

2. What's a quick and easy program to use? I have Paintshop Pro

[Mr. Domino]

As I understand Soldat uses a specific green color to identify as transparent, so just load any current Soldat graphic which uses transparency into Paint Shop Pro, use the Dropper tool to copy the color, and then use the Flood Fill icon on the current image area you want transparent. Works the same for .bmps as it does for .pngs.

[Avarax]

ha... am i stupid?

what i mean is, how to make those transparent scenerys such as SK's Light scenerypack

Because i have to do some custom shadows for de_rats

[Aquarius]

I don't know Painshop Pro, but I made a few shadows quickly. You can use it if you want.

[Avarax]

he, but i need mostly quite complicated and custom shadow structures

thanks anyways



just tell me how to do soem on my own, maybe tell me how to do it in photoshop or anything else, just tell me

[Aquarius]

Mini-tutorial for Photoshop:


1. In Soldat make a screenshot of your map, of the place where you want to add the shadows.

2. In Photoshop make a new document and paste the screenshot
3. Remove the empty (white) background layer and add a new (shadow) layer on top
4. Fill the shadow layer with black color (use Shift+F5)
5. Add a mask to the shadow layer
6. Set lower transparency for the shadow layer for a moment (40-80%). Modify the mask to remove shadows where you don't want them. Use gradient tool (black-white gradient) on the mask to make gradient shadows or soft, big paintbrush to make more custom shadows, etc.
7. Remove screenshot layer (leave only shadow layer)
8. File > Save for web > choose PNG-24 format and enable transparency checkbox


I can make it four you if tell me what you want and send me a screenshot.

[VirtualTT]

In order to make picture transparent chandge brush or any other tool Mode from Normal to Clear.
I'm prefere to use Gimp instead of Photoshop. Also I've already posted about how to make transparent sceneries in Gimp. maybe it will be helpfull 

[Keron Cyst]

Easy!

Use Paint.NET's Eraser tool and tweak Opacity and Brush Size. "Erase" what you would like to be transparent.

[-WildBill-]

SIMPLEST PHOTOSHOP METHOD
(who needs all those masks n things? not I!)

1. get photoshop (I have photoshop 7.0, so it'll work with that or any following versions, and maybe even with some previous versions, though I have no guarantees).
2. go to file > new, set your dimensions, and where it says "contents" check the box that says "transparent". (there should be a white and gray checkered background in your whole image, but dont worry. it wont show up in the final)
3. draw/import/whatever picture you want and do any editing you wish, such as erasing (which chould show the white and gray checkered background where you erased).
4. go to file > save as, and under the dropdown box that says "format" select Portable Network Graphics (.PNG) and hit OK, and make sure you set the interlace to NONE.

assuming all goes well, photoshop is smart enough to figure out what parts of the whole image are transparent and what isnt, and should generate the .png file with the desired transparency without having to go through all the confusing masking steps.

hope that helps ya. I know youve done a bunch for the mapping community, so I hope this helps pay back what youve given to everyone else!

[numgun]

In paint shop pro you go to layers and set the pictures opacity to lower. (lower = more transperant.)