I understand how you feel, because I’ve been there, too!
To create a transparency that can be imported into SL, you need to create an alpha channel that defines the transparent area. The image (with alpha channel) is then saved as a 32-bit TGA file. When the TGA file is imported into SL, the area that is masked by the alpha channel is transparent. Here’s how:
| 1. |
Open the image in Photoshop. You will need both the Layers palette and the Channels palette, so do the following to display them on your screen: |
| a. |
On the Windows menu, click Layers. Then again on the Windows menu, click Channels. |
| b. |
Move both palettes off to the side, so they won’t be in the way. |
| 2. |
To create a transparent area, you need to create a layer and remove parts of the image. |
| a. |
On the Layer menu, click Duplicate Layer. When prompted, click OK to confirm.
The layer palette now shows two layers; the original and a copy. The Eye button in the palette means that the layer is visible. The current layer is highlighted blue.
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| b. |
On the original Layer 1, click the Eye button to hide the layer. With that layer hidden, you will be able to see which parts of the image are removed. |
| 3. |
There are several ways to remove the part of the image that you want to be transparent. |
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The easiest way is to use the Magic Wand tool to select the area, and then press the Delete key to clear the selected area. This technique works well when the area to be removed is clearly defined.
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On the Select menu, use the Color Range command to select a range of color to be removed.
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If you have a graphics tablet, use the Lasso tool to draw around the edges of each area you want to remove. This is the technique that I like to use for fine detail.
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| 4. |
Using the Magic Wand tool, click any part of the transparent checkerboard area. Then on the Select menu, click Inverse. The solid part of the image is now selected. (To get a better view as you work, you can go to the View menu and click Zoom In.) |
| 5. |
On the Layer menu, click Duplicate Layer. Under Destination in the Document list, click New. Then when prompted to confirm, click OK.
You now have a new file that contains only the solid part of the image. |
| 6. |
On the Layer menu, point to Matting and click Defringe. With the Width set to 1 pixel, click OK. (This step helps to avoid that tell-tale hazy halo that you see so often around the borders of transparent images.) |
| 7. |
To create the Alpha Channel, do the following: |
| a. |
Use the Magic Wand tool to select the transparent background. Then on the Select menu, click Inverse. |
| b. |
At the bottom of the Channel Palette, click the Save selection as channel button. The new channel appears at the bottom of the list.
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| c. |
Click the Eye button so you can see the Alpha channel that you have created.
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| 8. |
You are now ready to save your work! |
| a. |
On the File menu, click Save. |
| b. |
Enter a file name, and in the Format list, click Targa *.TGA/span>. |
| c. |
Under Save Options, make sure that the Save Alpha Channels check box is selected. Then, click Save. |
| d. |
When prompted to set the Targa Options, select 32 bits/pixel and click OK. |
| 9. |
This is the part you have been waiting for! The file is ready to be imported. |
| a. |
On the Second Life File menu, click Upload Image (L$10). |
| b. |
Browse to find the .TGA file that you created. Select the file and click Open.
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