I think he wants to get at the alpha mask that is built into the PNG, because the Image_Map node isn't using it.

This is something I've been trying to figure out for ages. Why does Poser's Image_Map node have no option to honor the alpha mask that is in the image? If it did, we wouldn't need a separate mask and a Blender node to overlay a PNG on another node. You could plug whatever the other node is into the "Background" parameter of the Image_Map and just turn on "Use Alpha".

As it is, the Background only applies to parts of the UV map not covered by the image (when you scale it down and do not enable tiling).

The way things are now, when trying to use a PNG for a tattoo or decal, we usually scale it down, and then we have to load the alpha as a completely separate image (which also has to be scaled down) and use a Blender node to mix it with whatever is supposed to be underneath (usually skin or car paint). To do that, we have to use an external tool such as Photoshop to extract the Alpha as its own image.

This should be part of the Image_Map node's built-in ability. Failing that, if the Comp node were able to extract the alpha mask from an Image_Map, we could at least avoid having to deal with Photoshop and a second Image_Map. But I don't think that works either.

---

Renderosity forum reply notifications are wonky. If I read a follow-up in a thread, but I don't myself reply, then notifications no longer happen AT ALL on that thread. So if I seem to be ignoring a question, that's why. (Updated September 23, 2019)