Question re Transparency in Png/Filter Forge

Hello, I have no problems in opening a PNG file with a transparent layer, but is should have been saved as PNG 24 with transparency, and filter forge keeps the transparency.

You have told you have five items onto a transparent layer. Does this mean that all five items are on the SAME layer with transparency? Or there are 5 layers all with one item and with transparent layers ?

From what I know is not possible to save a PNG file with multiple layers because is not allowed, only ONE layer is allowed with transparency, and should in PNG 24 because this way it supports 16 millon colors or 24 bit graphics, as normal PNG is only 8 bit.

You can see here a explanation --> The Difference Between PNG-8 & PNG-24

http://www.ehow.com/info_8211357_diff...png24.html

"However, when I open the image in Filter Forge"

Does this mean that you are using the standalone version ? I mean you do not use Filter Forge inside Photoshop as a plugin.

"Filter Forge, immediately inserts a white background"

Are you SURE that is really Filter Forge that puts the white background ?

Are you SURE that the file is NOT already with that white background?

Can you open the file you try to open in Filter Forge in another software and can see the transparency ?

How have you saved the PNG file ? From what I know it must be PNG 24 to be able to use transparency as PNG 8 (NORMAL PNG) is not allowed, and it puts a white background.

Through Which program have you saved the PNG file ? Is it photoshop ? If it is photoshop I have to tell that photoshop CAN´T (even CS5) directly save a PNG with Transparency and always put a white background, because from what I know is NOT PNG 24 compatible. I have tried to save PNG 24 on photoshop and is not possible.

SAVING PNG 24 WTH TRANSPARENCY IN PHOTOSHOP CS5 or below version

To be able to export and save a PNG 24 with transparency in Photoshop WITHOUT the white background you must use EXPORT LAYERS TO FILES in the automate menu.

Here is a tutorial to show you how to do it --> http://www.pretentiousname.com/ps_exp...index.html

In the tutorial uses PNG 8, and as you can see the transparency option does not appear, so you must choose save in PNG 24 and then click on transparency option.

OR there is another posible way in Photoshop, that is to use "SAVE FOR THE WEB" wh ere there is an option to save in PNG 24 with transparency.

"To be able to export and save a PNG 24 with transparency in Photoshop WITHOUT the white background you must use EXPORT LAYERS TO FILES in the automate menu.

Here is a tutorial to show you how to do it --> http://www.pretentiousname.com/ps_exp...index.html

In the tutorial uses PNG 8, and as you can see the transparency option does not appear, so you must choose save in PNG 24 and then click on transparency option. "

Photoshop always saves my transparent layers. I just tried opening the same file in Preview and my transparent layer is there, without a white background. I'll still try the advice you recommended in the tutorial. The Filter Forge software still inserts a white background even when I use Save for Web in Photoshop and then open the file directly in Filter Forge. Maybe this tutorial will help solve this problem, I'll give it a shot. Thank you!

UPDATE: This didn't work either. The file was still saved via PS with the transparency, but it opened in Filter Forge with a white background again. I found the following in the help files. Could this be the problem I'm having?



"The Set Alpha component replaces the alpha channel of the Source image or color with the new alpha channel. The original alpha channel is discarded. This is a map component, it can be located in the Channels category on the Components Bar. This component can output HDR colors.

Source: Map Input (HDR)
Provides the source image or color whose alpha channel will be modified. This input can accept HDR colors.

New Alpha: Map Input
Sets the new value of the alpha channel in the range of 0 to 255. Low alpha channel values lead to high transparency, while high values lead to low transparency. Since New Alpha is a map input, its value can be controlled separately for different image areas by connecting a map component. In this case, the output brightness of the map component defines the alpha channel value: black areas correspond to value of 0, white areas to 255, and the alpha channel values in-between are represented by intermediate brightness levels.

Invert Alpha: Control Input
Inverts the alpha channel value."

Thank you CFM, I'm using the Watercolor Painting filter by Kochubey. I just tried using the same photo for various other filters and my transparent layer is displaying on the screen as transparent with those other filters. But when I use the Watercolor Painting filter, it doesn't show the transparent background as transparent. I'm a newbie and a graphic artist and have no idea of how to insert the function. Any suggestions? Or maybe there's someone here who inserted that functionality? (I'm praying.)

Thanks so much for your help, I appreciate it.

Thank you so much CFM for this. I'm working on it right now, but I see that Image is attached to "Blur". Do I detach it from "Blur"?

Not to worry simply open that same filter up again...Not the one you have edited but start over fr om the beginning.....That's the good part..You can edit the library filters and not worry about messing them up while editing...

I have changed my editing direction to match yours......Heres from the beginning and wh ere to unattached from......Just disconnect the blend component from the Result component.....

Sorry I should have asked which direction you are working in..
That's in the options in FF...I always work the other direction its easier for myself to read for some reason..

You can grab the new components by going to the top right of the screen and clicking components...The list should pop up...I choose "All" then you can select the component you want to add by....click and drag or double click the components to put them on the workspace...

Glad I could help out in getting that to work for ya...

Most of the time you can use these same steps in filters that do not have that certain function....There are some filters that require a little more components and more TLC so as not to change the filter itself....But you can always post those if you come across them...

Now you got some filter editing time in also..

Hey there, I hope this thread isn't too dead yet. But, this worked nicely for one filter, but there is another filter that needs a little more "tender love and care" and I would really appreciate it if you could assist me.

The filter is True 3d by 3dsblend - here is a link to it - http://www.filterforge.com/filters/7671.html - and I would like to stop it fr om automatically putting a background wh ere there is supposed to be transparency, just like the one above. Much thanks !

Thank you very much, works great !

THis thread is very interesting as there are some interesting and beautiful filters but that can´t be used with transparent images and alpha components.

Thanks very much CFandM for your help and sharing your expert skills of FF

CFandM you rock. Just googled this problem and found your post. Followed your great instructions and painted a copse of trees on a transparent background. Thank you. You Rock!

bobbijake

Thanks again CFandM for explaining this very well, as I had forgot to do it, and had to come back again to this thread to know how to convert filters that do not work with images with alpha channels and make them compatible with the corresponding alpha channel

One of the filters that does not allow alpha channel is the great and well done Comic Book Filter by Inujima

And the conversion can be done easily in the same way as you have suggested already for the watercolor filter, detach the last multiply at the end of the filter and add the new components as shown here below

See its still a handy thread..

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CFandM See its still a handy thread..

YES! It is still handy and useful and not dead at all as you have said also.

The three examples above I have put are all with non-surface filters (the ones without lighting tab setting)

Then above xnecrossx asked how to modify add the alpha channel to a surface filter and is the same way but doubling the effect like for example in the good Organic Rust by Thomas Helzle as shown below, although it depends on how the filters works and how is done.

The components inside the red boxes are the new components added

This tip shown here by CFandM does not work well with filters that the effect goes away and beyond the edge of the source image as you would loose all the effect, for example in this filter Daub by Mike Blackney or Splatterpainting by Tim2501

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This thread helped me to understand how the get alpha channel creates the mask and works with the set alpha. It was one of those "Duhhh!" moments

I agree with you and is true

CFandM, you are right, sorry, I already knew after writing this above that I was wrong in the way that of course there are many filter that could NOT be easily added masking or make them alpha channel compatible because in the way they make work and the effect they make it would involve much more work and can be perhaps a complex solution and needs more components than what simply described above.

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CFandM So a little more more components and TLC is needed for these effect type of filters...At that point using an alpha in the filter is on a case by case basis.....

Yes, that if the filter does not work with the suggested fixes above then as you say it would be needed to make a special fix for each one of this filter and specifically done for this one and very good examples of complex way is trying to add alpha channel to the awesome and amazing following filters: ( I do not know how would be possible if it is really possible)

Cubes by Inujima

Cube Wall by ThreeDee

Top Secret by ThreeDee

Love much this thread as it is very useful and the very good help CFandmM has given

I wonder!!!
Does PNG ever supported layers!!

Moreover, in a controlled experiment I found this.

The Image node in external category supports transparency and will export a transparent png if you load a transparent png. While if you are loading a transparent png through a color control node with "Allow images" option enabled, it adds a black layer instead of transparent background that can again be overcome if you enable "Allow alpha". These are the only two input nodes in Filterforge to bring in the images.

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I figured out how to ask what I was trying to ask the other day!!! I'm trying to use Graphic Novel 2.0. With the picture of the attached settings, how do I make the end result a picture with a transparent background? I'm getting close, but still can't figure out what I am doing wrong...

Probably need to dig into the node network / filter editor to do it. Some filters won't/can't process transparencies due to how they're structured. I can't speak for this particular filter. I suggest asking the original author on the matter and if not this community at large can probably help... (although keep in mind no promises, it's a community driven thing and some of these filters require a bit of expertise.)

I'll also give this a shot when I can given it's kinda nice to have that sort of function.

Have you tried the method that I posted?.....This will give you the tranparent background function back.....Here is what the filter looks like with the get-set alpha......

@CFandM - after some trial and error and finally figuring out your picture reference, it worked!!!! Thank you so much!

@AndrewA1988 - I have no idea, lol. I need to learn coding and such and I'm new to this program. Sorry!

You're all amazing! This is the end product!