Quote - Yep, the transmap isn't loaded in the transparency channel. What is the image format of the map you're using for the alpha plane? Do you have a colour map and a transmap? Or is it a single image, tif, tga or png, with em bedded alpha information ?
2nd question: how did you create the object, choosing alpha plane from the primitives menu, and loading the colour map then the alpha map? bThe tranparency channel shows a black map used as transparency, which means all visible, and your colour map's background is black, so the alpha plane should redner only the colour map, yet, it creates a grey background around the flower...

All of what you say/ask makes sense, but I am applying the Alpha Plane image the exact same way in Vue 7 as I did in Vue 6 - that's why it's a mystery to me.

1.  I click on the Fly-out Primitive button in the left tool bar and select Alpha Plane

2.  In the Alpha Plane Options dialog box I navigate to the Monsoon folder in the Bitmap folder and apply it in the Color picture.  It's a PNG file so it automatically appears in the Alpha Picture box as well.  The preview in the Alphs Plane Options box looks just like it's supposed to render"