Image transparency problem

[DianaH]

Ok ... here's the scoop:
I have an image (I drew it in a graphic's software) and then applied a soft
shadow. I exported to a gif (can use other formats), inserted into
Frontpage ... and the shadow looks solid ... and don't forget the white box
that comes with the image. Against a white background it's fine, but I
don't want a white background.

I then tried to import into Powerpoint and the shadow looks just fine ...
looks exactly as it should No matter what format I export to or what
background colour I start with (even with it transparent) ... the shadow
looks totally solid (opague) instead of looking like a nice fading gradient
that disappears. Can someone explain this behaviour. It's driving me
bonkers.

As an fyi ... the transparency tool isn't the answer.
Running FP 2003
Thanks. Diana

 

[Thomas A. Rowe]

You need to apply the background color to match your page in your image application and then save as
JPG (RGB subformat). Do not make it with a transparent background.

--
==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe (Microsoft MVP - FrontPage)
WEBMASTER Resources(tm)

FrontPage Resources, WebCircle, MS KB Quick Links, etc.
==============================================

 

[DianaH]

Hi Thomas,
thanks for the response.
Unfortunately, when I insert into frontpage the shadow gradient behaves like
like it says ... a gradient of colours from blue to white. I used Coreldraw
12 to create the the graphic and made sure all colours were RGB. The
exported image, whether png or GIF inserts into powerpoint and I can insert
onto any coloured background ... and the image looks fine.

I just exported as jpg and chose no colours for the transparency. When I
insert into frontpage, it has the white background. I click the
transparency tool and am told the image must be converted to a gif ... the
main part of the white box disappears, but where the shadow is applied ...
it's totally opague.

There's got to be a way to beat this!

You need to apply the background color to match your page in your image
application and then save as
JPG (RGB subformat). Do not make it with a transparent background.

--
==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe (Microsoft MVP - FrontPage)
WEBMASTER Resources(tm)

FrontPage Resources, WebCircle, MS KB Quick Links, etc.
==============================================

 

[Thomas A. Rowe]

JPG images do not support transparency, only GIF and PNG images support transparency. FP can on set
the transparency of an image by converting it to a GIF, which reduces the number of colors to 256 or
less.

The best option is to create your image with the shadow, set the background color to match your
page, then save the image as JPG image, insert on your page and with trial and error adjust the
background color of your page and the image to match.

--
==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe (Microsoft MVP - FrontPage)
WEBMASTER Resources(tm)

FrontPage Resources, WebCircle, MS KB Quick Links, etc.
==============================================

 

[DianaH]

Thomas, The image isn't picking up the background when I export ... I've
tried all kinds of colours ... the result is always a white upon inserting
into FP.

I understand what you mean about the colour reduction, but it doesn't appear
to be a problem with my drawing. I also knew about jpg's not supporting
transparency, which is why i was originally exported to gif and/or png in
all of my previous tests. The drawing contains only blue and white
gradients (to achieve a metal-looking effect), so I'm sure it's got less
than 256 colours, so the gif format isn't an issue.

The background I'm using in FP has a hint of texture, so I applied it to
Coreldraw, but it made no difference. I've exported to gif, png, jpg and
they all still have a white background when I insert to Frontpage. Again,
this doesn't happen if I export then insert to exported bitmap and then
insert it into Powerpoint. Can PC's fly??

JPG images do not support transparency, only GIF and PNG images support
transparency. FP can on set
the transparency of an image by converting it to a GIF, which reduces the
number of colors to 256 or
less.

The best option is to create your image with the shadow, set the background
color to match your
page, then save the image as JPG image, insert on your page and with trial
and error adjust the
background color of your page and the image to match.

--
==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe (Microsoft MVP - FrontPage)
WEBMASTER Resources(tm)

FrontPage Resources, WebCircle, MS KB Quick Links, etc.
==============================================

 

[DianaH]

Thomas, Thomas, Thomas ... you'll never believe this.
As I stared (glared, actually) at the image with the perfectly transparent
background (in PowerPoint), a zaney thought came to mind.
Here's what I did. I reduced the window sizes of Powerpoint and FP. I
clicked and dragged the image from Powerpoint into Frontpage and guess what
.... that's right ... there's no white background. It's perfectly
transparent. Talk about wild.

Now ... I ended up with a floating image, so I set it to be absolute (hope
that works).

I'm absolutely elated. I haven't published it yet, but I'm hopeful (at
least for now!). I've been struggling with this for three days.
Thanks so much for your help ... as always.
Diana

JPG images do not support transparency, only GIF and PNG images support
transparency. FP can on set
the transparency of an image by converting it to a GIF, which reduces the
number of colors to 256 or
less.

The best option is to create your image with the shadow, set the background
color to match your
page, then save the image as JPG image, insert on your page and with trial
and error adjust the
background color of your page and the image to match.

--
==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe (Microsoft MVP - FrontPage)
WEBMASTER Resources(tm)

FrontPage Resources, WebCircle, MS KB Quick Links, etc.
==============================================

 

[Thomas A. Rowe]

Great!

--
==============================================
Thomas A. Rowe (Microsoft MVP - FrontPage)
WEBMASTER Resources(tm)

FrontPage Resources, WebCircle, MS KB Quick Links, etc.
==============================================