I want to create a transparency mask (if that's the right term) for a picture of a tree prop/model that I rendered in Poser 5 against a black background. The purpose would be to apply it (in the transparency channels/nodes) in Poser 5 to a blank square plane prop along with the rendered picture in order to create a "clip art" tree prop for use in a complex scene, as this uses less memory to render the whole scene than would the having the whole tree prop included instead. I have Photoshop 7, but have never used it. Is there a simple step-by-step tutorial somewhere for how to create this type transarency mask in Photpshop 7? Thank you.

If you render in Poser, most of the time there is an extra channel in the 'channels' tab. This is a mask, and all you need. It looks like the picture. When in the 'channels' tab (make it visible via the 'windows' menu if it isn't there), select the 'Alpha 1' channel. In the palette menu (the small circle with the triangle) and choose 'duplicate channel'. In the next window, choose 'new'. Convert this new document to greyscale ('image' -> 'mode' -> 'greyscale') and save as .psd or tiff or whatever Poser eats. Do not use .gif or .jpg for alpha masks, the compression artefacts of both distort the end result. This worked in my test thingy. Good luck! P.S. if you have Photoshop 7 and never used it, you probably did not pay for it (one does not forget an investment like that easily). If you like the program, I would encourage you buy an official version or look for a cheap alternative. Illegal software is not acceptable for most people around here. If you bought it, don't mind me saying this. It is ofcourse my own interpretation, so I can be totally wrong. And it's totally off-topic ofcourse :-)

Thank you for the tip. And yes, I did purchase Photoshop (actually updated from my earlier purchased versions). I have several costly programs that I have never found the time to actually use, including AfterEffects (and a bunch of addon/effects plugin programs), Painter and PaintShop Pro. One of these days when I can aford to quit the day job and devote the time, I will learn to use more than just Poser.

That's good to hear, Terry. Of course, I think Hoof suffers from the same thing I do...hehe...and that is when I get a chance to open the latest/new version of Photoshop, it is something that gets me excited...so it's a bit difficult to understand someone who paid for it and don't use it (grin). No harm done by him asking.

No problem. I didn't take offense. With all the warez and software piracy crap so rampant these days, I don't hold it against anyone to be on the lookout. I bought the programs when I had more money than I do today (haven't been able to update any of them since, except Poser), and thought that I'd have more time to learn to use them. I even bought the sets of training videos for most of them, but even these are still in their original, unopend packaging. So much to learn, so little time... About the only thing I'v managed to accomplish is a seven-minute anination made entirely in Poser 5 (and edited in Adobe Premiere). It's hosted at www.changestorm.com (the "Godzilla" link at the top of tghe home page), if you want to see it.

That animation is great! I laughed, I wanted to see it all! In the end someone who makes something interesting with Poser. I think it could look even better with the new render engines in Poser 6, but you may have to buy a new computer then. And render for the next 6 six year. I wondered, how did you do the explosions? Also in Poser (with some stop-motion animated textures?) or were they added in Premiere? Another free tip: that axe wielding Godzilla in the credits can make you rich! Over here in the Netherlands there is a new 'pop'character every month that everybody wants on their brand-new color animated cell phone. It started with the obnoxious frog (or something), now there is young duck singing disco, the devil does opera. Do a web search and start counting your dollars! Great work. I am glad you did not take offence. It is inimaginable to not unpack new software for me. See you around!

I thought ti was good, too, but only got about halfway through it before it refused to play any more. The explosions were well done. And, like Hoof said, amusing.

Thanks for the compliments, guys. I take pleasure in knowing that other people enjoyed the animation. It was several months of hard work, but a lot of fun to do. Everything was rendered in Poser and assembled/edited in Premiere. The explosins, fire, smoke, etc. effects were done using a fantastic, easy to use program called Particle Illusion by Wondertouch. By the way, thank you very much for the quick-step tip on doing the masking in Photoshop. I was able to whip out a whole bunch of different Poser tree props as 2D squares for my new animation. Now I can render (animate) a whole forest background scene without Poser chocking and urping up all over my screen. I also appreciate the tip about the "pop character of the month". Unfortunately, I'd lose sleep at night worrying whether or not Toho Studios (owner of the "intellectual rights" to the Godzilla character) would sic their lawyers on me. They already told me that I cannot use their character for any purpose - even non-commercial use - which killed my dream of entering the animation in amature animation festivals. (It's not even supposed to be posted on the internet, but the fiesty owner of the hosting website thought people should be allowed to see the animation for free as I had intended all along.) Corporate lawyers! Sigh...