Hi all... here is the original PSP Version 4.14 tutorial...version 5
update coming soon
Hi!
I have been asked to prepare a tutorial on the basics of saving transparent gifs. So,
here you go!!
Brad
Open a new image window. I always open
with 16.7 million colors so that all of the
options are available.
For this example, we will just use a red
circle on a white background.
Now, the idea, is to show the image
without showing the square white background
with it. Like this JPG version.
So, here is how to setup PSP to save
transparent GIFs. With our image still the
active window, we go to File|Save as
When the Save as window pops up,
you need to be sure;
[A] Where you are saving the file.
Also, be sure not to overwrite an
existing file by accident.
[B] Select GIF as the type.
[C] Select version 89a-interlaced as
the sub type.
All of these are important.
OK, click on the Options button on
the lower right. This will bring up
the File preferences window. Click
on the GIF tab, and check the 3rd
line that sets the transparency to the
background color. Click OK.
Now name your file and
click Save. When PSP tells
you that you must reduce
the colors, click Yes, and
PSP will do this automatically.
Ok, you have just saved a gif with the background color set to be transparent. You will not
see any difference in the PSP image except for the name. Paint Shop Pro does not display transparencies.
You will need to look at the image in a browser to see the transparent effect.
Let's talk about transparency for a moment. The GIF format can only use 256 colors. But,
here is the key...ONE of those colors can be made transparent. It can be any one of them but only
one at a time per image. So, pick a color for your image background that you will not use in
the image itself. For instance, we used a white background for an all red image. If we had a
red and white circle on a white background, once we set the transparent color to the background
color, we would show ALL the white as transparent. To easily set the background color of PSP to
the background of your image, just use the eyedropper and click on the background. Remember, left
mouse click for foreground and right mouse click for background.
So there you go, a transparent GIF that will let your background show through.
