When I open up or create and image in photoshop and add a 100% black Alpha channel and save it as a 32bit tga, when we reopen it again in Photoshop 7.01, the alpha turns white again. Has anyone ever experienced this problem? Does anyone know why this happens??

I've never successfully accomplished anything in photoshop using alpha channels. And thought I'm not sure I've seen what you're talking about, I've had plenty of my own problems just trying to get them to do anything useful. I find that any of the other programs I use (3ds max, after effects, paint shop pro) make more sense when using alpha maps. It's weird... I can make an alpha mapped image from 3DS Max and bring it into Adobe After Effects and see it properly masked. Bring it into photoshop, however, and there's no sign of the alpha map, just a white background where it was originally rendered black... hmm, that does sound VERY similar to your problem, though.

Alpha channels are one of PS's most important tools, but they are something different than how alpha channels are used in other apps. For one, there can be an infinite number of them (so the one that would provide the 'mask' should be appointed differently). Actually, the 'transparancy' we accept as normal in a photoshop layer is a sort of 'hidden' alpha channel. When you click a layer, the transparancy channel suddenly appears. Alpha channels can contain information about selections (save selection generates an alpha channel), but also about additional color channels when you work for print. A 100% black alpha channel contains no information. If you want a black background, that should be a layer, the transparancy of whatever is on top is 'hidden' alpha information. So maybe that is why it is changed to a white channel, which contains no information too. There is not much of a difference between 'select nothing' or 'select all'. They are both taken care for in other areas of the program... If you open an alpha mapped image from 3DS Max in Photoshop, you have to go to the alpha tab, and make a selection of the 'maks' alpha channel (option click on it). My 3D app can generate, like, 30 alpha channels, all with different information like depth. A .tif file wil use the first alpha channel as a mask in a lot of applications, but Photoshop gives you all the freedom to use, mix and als filter alphachannels. I could not create nice grunge type without them. So maybe it is just a slight difference between the meaning of the term 'alpha channel' in different programs.

That was very helpful!

I'm glad!

Great job hoof! I like how you explained the different approach PS has towards "alpha-channels"

I appreciate your help, we have some really knowledgeable forum members that are always willing to share!

Thanks again

:)
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