OK--I'm another newbie & I'm still not sure I understand exactly. I really want to understand how to get the transparent backgrounds!! Sorry if I'm being dense! :) 1. I looked in the options menu--under the last tab "paths", it was already listed to hqi (so it seems): C:Program FilesApophysis 2.0hqi.exe 2. Go to file, choose export flame...then what? do I have to change the file type from .jpg to .png right there before I hit ok?? or what? what's the next step? HELP! :) Donna