pnotoshop alpha/transparency problems

[scrimski]

Crtl+click your layer in the layer tab(this will select the non-transparent pixels), go into the channel tab, create a new alpha channel and fill your selection with white(white=opaque, black=transparent). Be sure to save your file in a format which can handle alpha channels like tiff, targa, png or psd.

[Leo_gal]

ummmm, I am doing everything you say and I thought it would work for sure; but the transparent part is now showing up black instead of white. Do I have to do something in maya or change something in the save options? I am probally just missing one easy step and don't realize it. If you have any other suggestions that would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

[scrimski]

I barely know MAYA, but I know that it can do stuff like transparency, so have a look in your manual, I'm pretty sure, your answer can be found there.

[leigh]

Are you sure you saved the file in a 32-bit format with the alpha channel? Maya should automatically use the alpha channel if it is there.

[Cameo]

There will always be something in the colour channel of where your pixels are transparent, it doesnt save it as a grey checkerboard. The information to tell it that this area is transparent is held in the alpha channel. The method that scrimski told you should work fine. When you apply this texture to your object in Maya can you explain the results that you are getting?

[firewing666]

i don't think transparency of layers in photoshop imports properly into maya, i usually end up flatten the transparent or semi-transparent layer (as in merge them with new layers so the final layer preseves the transparency yet is at 100% opacity).

Correct me if i'm wrong.

[Integrity]

I don't know if this will help any, but whenever I want to save an image that has transparency I use masks and not the alpha channel technique. Copy whatever grayscale image your using as a matte into a mask on the specific layer your using, and the right click on the thumbnail for the mask and select "Apply Mask" (I think that's what the command is called). That preserves the transparency...then use the Save for Web plugin and save a png of it, that way when using Save for Web you'll be able to get a preview of exactly what your saving.

I hope this helps.

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