How to make a .bmp transparent?

[jce1975 webforumsuser@macromedia.com]

I am trying to make this bitmap, which I converted into a graphic symbol, transparent. I can't seem to make it work? Could someone please help? Thanks.

[war_mice webforumsuser@macromedia.com]

Hi jce,

I had never done it before, but I just did it after taking a look at your message.

That was pretty simple with Flash 5.0, I'm not using Flash MX. That's how I did it :

- Import BMP image.
- When it's on a layer, select the image (if it's not already default selected after import)
- Click F8, choose Graphic.
- Then, you can do whatever you want with it.
- Try going in the Effect window, select Alpha with 0%... it's now transparent.

Is that what you were looking for ?

Hope so.

ø|i

[Ultra Virus]

I have yet to see .BMP supporting an alpha channel (transparency). I would
suggest using photoshop, or similar, to utilize .PNG format. It will fully
support transparency.

"jce1975" <webforumsuser@macromedia.com> wrote in message
news:befnuh$47r$1@forums.macromedia.com...

> I am trying to make this bitmap, which I converted into a graphic symbol,

transparent. I can't seem to make it work? Could someone please help?
Thanks.

>
>

[gentlegerbil]

Typically you cannot make a .bmp transparent (there is no transparency support in this format).

You can however index a .bmp which will add a transparent colour in the 256th spot. Problem is, a lot of image requirements for bmp are 24 and 32 bit, and a transparent indexed image will only convert to 16 bit.

For photoshop, simply leave the area you want transparent as empty and leave your layers. Go to "Image > Mode > Indexed Color..." and set it. This will flatten teh whole image to one indexed layer adn you should see a transparency. This computes roughly to the quality of a gif (no alpha levels) so don't expect anything great.