User:Smuff/Transparency Guide

This step by step guide (complete with pictures) will show you how to apply transparency to all images.

Please put all comments/queries on the talk page, thanks. 13:49, January 29, 2012 (UTC)

Program
Firstly, you will need an image editor that will be able to apply good transparency. In this guide we'll be using GIMP, it's free, produces quality images, doesn't need pirated like Photoshop, and doesn't destroy images like Paint.net.

For starters
Firstly you will need to make a copy of the image you want to apply transparency to. This will enable you to make any corrections later, if necessary. Open up your image onto GIMP by right-click "Edit with GIMP".

Adding an alpha channel
Before doing anything, go to Layer --> Transparency --> Add alpha channel. This will enable you to add transparency (If you do this right, rather than seeing a white background later on, it'll be chequered.

Selecting the right tools
Select the free select tool/polygonal lasso tool. (Make sure anti-aliasing on is, feathering edges off.)

Outlining your image
At a zoom level of about 500%, make an outline of the part of the image you want to keep.

Before clearing the image
Press Ctrl + I (or "Select --> Invert" from the menu) to invert your selection so the background is only selected.

Clearing the image
Select clear and you should see a chequered background, like shown:

If there's any holes that still need edited out, simply outline it with the lasso tool and cut it out. (Note: Don't invert it this time, you're cutting out the foreground, not the background.)

Cropping your image
Go to Image --> Autocrop Image.

Saving your image

 * 1) Save your image in the PNG file format and compress your image using PNG Gauntlet. (You'' see Chia use this a lot.)
 * 2) Finally, upload your image, keeping in mind any image naming policies. (Final image found here)

Demonstration
This video describes the above method, and shows the live action. (Video done by Joeytje50 on a pair of boots in Runescape, same principle for guns.) 3pLDxwLdeF8