help with channels on Corel Photo-Paint

[HokieSax]

I noticed that some of you guys are using Corel PhotoPaint , but you said to only modify the "alpha" chanel. When I open the .tga files, all I see is RGB channel, red channel, blue channel and green channel. Where's the alpha channel? Thanks.

[HokieSax]

OK, so I found the alpha channel, but is it supposed to look like a 3D image that was flattened? It seems like it would be hard to make a new scheme with all these color blobs everywhere.

[Buckaroo]

Well I will be no help at all. For one thing I use Paint shop pro instead, and for another I cant figure out how to edit the alpha channel correctly. ;) I either get clear canopies, or opaque, not tinted.

But The way I have been told to do it in PSP, is load the Alpha as a mask, make sure you can view the mask, edit it, then save it back to the alpha channel again.

Im sure your handles it a bit different, but you might try some variations of that process.

Eric Kler
Visit My unofficial G2 swap page (http://zeus.rcwizard.com/fubar_hill/G2.htm)

[DJ V]

I'm not sure you guys understand what an alpha channel is...

there are 2 popular types of .tga file. 24 bit and 32 bit

24 bit is RGB - no alpha, 8 bits for red 8 for green and 8 for blue

32 bit is RGB + Alpha the last 8 bits are the alpha data

8 bits equates to 256 shades of gray from white to black

if you were to look at the alpha channel you'd see alot of white and a shade of gray in the shape of the windows/canopy

Alpha work by taking the luminance values of the image and applying 100% transparency to whatever is black and 0% transparency to whatever is white. any shade of gray in between is transparent depending on it's shade.

If you want a dark canopy that is almost opaque then you'd need to have the canopy are in the alpha channel a light shade of gray... maybe almost white. then you'd want to make sure that your RGB channels have the canpoy as pure black. you end up with a dark tinted canopy.

Lets say you want a light blue tinted canopy. you'd have your canopy area in the alpha very dark gray but not quite black. then the RGB channels would have the canopy section painted pure blue. you get a nice lightly tinted blue canopy

You can use Alphas to your advantage. Especially on heli's. I used the alpha channel to modify the shape of the windows on the Ecureuils I did because the scale ones I modeled them after had varying types/sizes of window or doors. I just painted the alpha to match the type of window or door arrangement I needed for that heli. You could also make the canopy on the ultimate a windscreen, open top canopy... all by manipulating the alpha to your advantage.

to see my schemes go to
www.raptoronline.com (http://www.raptoronline.com)

DJ V
http://www.imagedv.com/raptoronline-l.gif

[This message was edited by DJ V on 02-22-01 at .]

[Buckaroo]

I more or less understand what it is, and how to edit it. Useing Paint Shop Pro 7, Ill be danged if I can get the partial tint, its either clear or opaque in what ever shade of gray I use.

I have spent quite a while trying different things to get it to work , no luck so far. I cant save these in 32 bit, as I don't have the option.

I cant justify spending $500 on a program to make free color schemes ;)

Eric Kler
Visit My unofficial G2 swap page (http://zeus.rcwizard.com/fubar_hill/G2.htm)

[DJ V]

if you cant save them as a 32 bit targa thats probably your problem. Photoshop allows you to choose 16, 24 or 32 bit when you save as TGA. hmmm I always thought PSP would allow 32 bit editing. bummer

DJ

[Jackson P.]

Buckaroo...

I too am not willing to spend $500+ just to get clear canopies. I am using paint shop pro that I got on a free cd and am able to get most of the picture colores / designs that I want.

For a surprise color scheme try copying a favorite scheme from one plane, renaming it your second favorite plane ( type the first part of the copied sheme before the ~, exactly ). The results are often interesting and usable as is. Sometimes they create bizarre results.

Ain't G2 great!!!

and thanks to all you who post and have sites to trade planes, schemes, ports etc.

[fly300s]

I am using MGI PhotoSuite to make trim schemes. This works fine to make the trim, but it will not show properly on G2. When I save it at 16 bits per pixelthe canopy is transparent, but so is the center section of the fuse. When I save it at 24 bit the center section shows, but I cannot get a transparent canopy. When I save it at 32 bit it does the same as 16 bit. What should I do? I would like to have a transparent canopy for my planes.


Ryan :cool:

[Buckaroo]

Well I bought Paint Shop pro 7 for that reason. It works I so I hear. I have something going on where I can only see a invisible canopy or or opaque, with nothing in between. Although others have said they see canopies on them.

The canopies are on the alpha channel. MGI doesnt handle the alpha channel, or combines it with the background. You will have to find another editor to do what you want, I bet.

Eric Kler
Visit My unofficial G2 swap page (http://zeus.rcwizard.com/fubar_hill/G2.htm)

[DJ V]

you can't just "save" it as a 32 bit and expect it to work... you have to actually paint an alpha channel using black and white (or shades of gray in between) just saving as a 32 bit defaults to a transparent section which will show on the model as 100% transparent... you gotta paint yerself an alpha

DJ