Making .gif (or any other file type) contain transparent parts.

[Ferret]

I trying to set up a web site (using dreamweaver 4) I've been making custom images for the site, including a banner, just some text but I want the white to be transparent, or more accurately: I want what is transparent in Jasc Paint shop pro 8 to stay transparent and not change to white.

Can anyone help?

 

[Dimwhit]

Far as I know, the only way to do that is to export it to a transparent .gif. I don't know of PS Pro supports transparent .gifs, but I would hope so.

A word of warning...often times what looks nice and transparent in your graphics programs looks terrible on a web page. Especially if your text contains drop shadows or anything else similar.

Sorry if that's not much help. But you want to check to see if you program can export to transparent .gif files.

 

[ToddSchumacher]

In Photoshop and Adobe illustrator there are little check-boxes for transparency when you save your image as a gif. I'm not familiar with the program you use, but I'd look for something similar. Some sort of option when 'exporting' or 'saving for web' or whatever.

edit: Wanted to add that the only web format that supports transparency is the gif...or flash animation I guess.

 

[Fester]

I use Photoshop, but I found this link in google:

http://www.tiemdesign.com/HOWTO/2003/May/PSPTransBack/default.asp

It seems to do what you want (may be wrong though!).

As pointed out, though, you need to be careful with transparent backgrounds. Unless you know for sure what color the background will be, it could really mess with your image (especially a banner ad): what if your text is black and so is the background of the site where the banner ad is being displayed? Also, all sorts of colors respond badly when placed alongside certain other colors.

Anyway, HTH

 

[Ferret]

I have no trouble getting my banner transparent but it seems to go white when I apply it to Dreamweaver.

Wait.. I've just tried saving my .psp version as a .gif and it worked. Odd that.

And just clear up confusion its not an ad banner it's the title page title thiney. Like the ENworld 'banner' in the top left of this page.

Thanks everyone!

Edit: Is there any other type of file I could use that would allow partially transparent pixels?

Edit again: I keep doing this, .pngs work don't they? Any problems with .png?

 

[Ferret]

Oh. Back to gifs.