Transparent Textures Using Layer Support

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Let's consider the process of creating a transparent texture with Adobe Photoshop 6 in more detail. This process, with small variations, is similar in most other editors that support layers, such as Jasc Paint Shop Pro 7.

• Create a new file with the parameters shown in Fig. 14.5.

  
  Figure 14.5: Parameters for creating a new file in Adobe Photoshop 6

• Create a new layer, where you will create your image:

  • Main menu à Layer à New à Layer

• After you finish editing your image, load the transparency mask:

  • Main menu à Select à Load selection

  

  Note 

  If you created additional layers in the course of editing, join these layers into a single layer (but don't join them with the background).

• Save the mask as a transparent (alpha) channel:

  • Main menu à Select à Save selection

• Save the image as a TGA file (Fig. 14.6):

  • Main menu à Save as

  
  Figure 14.6: Saving a file with the transparency (alpha) channel in Adobe Photoshop

  

  Note 

  3ds max 5 introduced the possibility of loading Adobe Photoshop (PSD) files with layers. The transparency layer is recognized and interpreted as an alpha channel.

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