PNG specifies that the fourth channel in a file is transparency, and only transparency. PNG does not support arbitrary alpha channels like other formats such as TIFF. Saving in other formats can discard channel information. DCS 2.0 format preserves only spot channels. Alpha channels are preserved only when you save a file in Photoshop, PDF, TIFF, PSB, or raw formats. Note: As long as you save a file in a format supporting the image’s color mode, the color channels are preserved. The size of an uncompressed file, including alpha channels and layers, appears as the rightmost value in the status bar at the bottom of the window when you choose Document Sizes from the pop‑up menu. Certain file formats, including TIFF and Photoshop formats, compress channel information and can save space. The file size required for a channel depends on the pixel information in the channel. With an RGB image, which has three color channels (red, green, and blue), and a composite (RGB) channel, you can add up to 20 additional alpha channels. All new channels have the same dimensions and number of pixels as the original image. (See About spot colors.)Īn image can have up to 56 channels. Spot color channels specify additional plates for printing with spot color inks.You can add alpha channels to create and store masks, which let you manipulate or protect parts of an image. Alpha channels store selections as grayscale images.
#Add an alpha channel to a jpeg in xara designer pro x plus
For example, an RGB image has a channel for each color (red, green, and blue) plus a composite channel used for editing the image. The image’s color mode determines the number of color channels created. Color information channels are created automatically when you open a new image.The opaque color varies greatly, depending upon the filters and other processing previously applied to the layer.Ĭhannels are grayscale images that store different types of information: Photoshop converts transparency into an opaque color, hidden by the newly created mask. You can Shift-click the thumbnail to disable it and make the image and its channels opaque. Choose Layer > Layer Mask > From Transparency.If you want to directly edit layer transparency, create a mask for this data. Areas painted black on a mask are protected, and areas painted white are editable. Masks and channels are grayscale images, so you can edit them like any other image with painting tools, editing tools, and filters. Once stored as an alpha channel, you can reload the selection at any time or even load it into another image. The alpha channel stores the selection as an editable grayscale mask in the Channels panel. To save a selection more permanently, you can store it as an alpha channel. By default, the layer mask is linked to the layer that it is attached to. You can add a mask to a layer and use the mask to hide portions of the layer and reveal the layers below. You can also use masks for complex image editing such as gradually applying color or filter effects to an image. When you create a mask, you isolate areas of an image as you apply color changes, filters, or other effects to the rest of the image. When you select part of an image, the area that is not selected is masked, or protected from editing.