MS Paint transparency problems in XP

[Robin]

We can't get the XP version of Microsoft Paint to save
the transparent background properly on gif art created in
Paint. We had no problems with it in the Windows ME
version of Microsoft Paint.

[Sharon F]

On Thu, 14 Aug 2003 15:17:40 -0700, Robin wrote:

> We can't get the XP version of Microsoft Paint to save
> the transparent background properly on gif art created in
> Paint. We had no problems with it in the Windows ME
> version of Microsoft Paint.

What is "not properly"? If you want the image to be "transparent," select
the same color for background as the color of the page it will be placed
on.

NOTE: In its default form, Paint is pretty basic. If you install any MS
products (Office, Picture It, etc) and opt to add the graphics filters
during setup, it will gain some extra capabilities. Transparency is still
set the same way though - matching background to the same color as the
target page.

--
Sharon F
MS-MVP/ Windows XP - Shell/User

[I'm Probably Not Here]

On 14/8/2003 16:17, Robin wrote:

> We can't get the XP version of Microsoft Paint to save
> the transparent background properly on gif art created in
> Paint. We had no problems with it in the Windows ME
> version of Microsoft Paint.

Did you use the help file of MS Paint to show you how to create a
transparent background? (I don't know if it actually works, only know
that the instructions are there.)

[I'm Probably Not Here]

On 14/8/2003 18:12, Sharon F wrote:

<==snippage==>>>
> What is "not properly"? If you want the image to be "transparent," select
> the same color for background as the color of the page it will be placed
> on.

That's not the definition of a transparent background.

[Sharon F]

On Thu, 14 Aug 2003 18:59:12 -0600, I'm Probably Not Here wrote:

> On 14/8/2003 18:12, Sharon F wrote:
>
> <==snippage==>>>
>> What is "not properly"? If you want the image to be "transparent," select
>> the same color for background as the color of the page it will be placed
>> on.
>
> That's not the definition of a transparent background.

It is when you are working with GIF files.

True transparencies are easier accomplished with a different image format
and with programs that allow you to work in layers. Paint is not one of
those programs.

--
Sharon F
MS-MVP/ Windows XP - Shell/User

[I'm Probably Not Here]

On 14/8/2003 19:59, Sharon F wrote:

> On Thu, 14 Aug 2003 18:59:12 -0600, I'm Probably Not Here wrote:
>
>
>>On 14/8/2003 18:12, Sharon F wrote:
>>
>><==snippage==>>>
>>
>>>What is "not properly"? If you want the image to be "transparent," select
>>>the same color for background as the color of the page it will be placed
>>>on.
>>
>>That's not the definition of a transparent background.
>
>
> It is when you are working with GIF files.
>
> True transparencies are easier accomplished with a different image format
> and with programs that allow you to work in layers. Paint is not one of
> those programs.
>

Nope, that's not the _definition_ for gif89a, which is "The GIF89
transparent color extension allows an image to specify a transparent
color, which can then be displayed as the same color as the background
on which the image is to be displayed."

Source: http://www.mit.edu:8001/people/nocturne/transparent.html

[Sharon F]

On Fri, 15 Aug 2003 06:15:06 -0600, I'm Probably Not Here wrote:

> On 14/8/2003 19:59, Sharon F wrote:
>
>> On Thu, 14 Aug 2003 18:59:12 -0600, I'm Probably Not Here wrote:
>>
>>
>>>On 14/8/2003 18:12, Sharon F wrote:
>>>
>>><==snippage==>>>
>>>
>>>>What is "not properly"? If you want the image to be "transparent," select
>>>>the same color for background as the color of the page it will be placed
>>>>on.
>>>
>>>That's not the definition of a transparent background.
>>
>>
>> It is when you are working with GIF files.
>>
>> True transparencies are easier accomplished with a different image format
>> and with programs that allow you to work in layers. Paint is not one of
>> those programs.
>>
>
> Nope, that's not the _definition_ for gif89a, which is "The GIF89
> transparent color extension allows an image to specify a transparent
> color, which can then be displayed as the same color as the background
> on which the image is to be displayed."
>
> Source: http://www.mit.edu:8001/people/nocturne/transparent.html

Transparent cannot be the absence of color. The definition says "which can
be displayed as the same color as the background..." That color has to be
assigned somewhere and somehow. In most graphics program that color is
inserted into the image by the user. Even Photoshop with its "transparent"
gif requires you to set the color of at least one background pixel when
creating a transparent gif. Paint cannot create transparent gifs. It can
read the files and will use the current designated background color to
display the image. That's as far as its capabilities go.

--
Sharon F
MS-MVP/ Windows XP - Shell/User

[Sharon F]

On Fri, 15 Aug 2003 13:35:40 -0500, Sharon F wrote:

> On Fri, 15 Aug 2003 06:15:06 -0600, I'm Probably Not Here wrote:
>
>> On 14/8/2003 19:59, Sharon F wrote:
>>
>>> On Thu, 14 Aug 2003 18:59:12 -0600, I'm Probably Not Here wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>>On 14/8/2003 18:12, Sharon F wrote:
>>>>
>>>><==snippage==>>>
>>>>
>>>>>What is "not properly"? If you want the image to be "transparent," select
>>>>>the same color for background as the color of the page it will be placed
>>>>>on.
>>>>
>>>>That's not the definition of a transparent background.
>>>
>>>
>>> It is when you are working with GIF files.
>>>
>>> True transparencies are easier accomplished with a different image format
>>> and with programs that allow you to work in layers. Paint is not one of
>>> those programs.
>>>
>>
>> Nope, that's not the _definition_ for gif89a, which is "The GIF89
>> transparent color extension allows an image to specify a transparent
>> color, which can then be displayed as the same color as the background
>> on which the image is to be displayed."
>>
>> Source: http://www.mit.edu:8001/people/nocturne/transparent.html
>
> Transparent cannot be the absence of color. The definition says "which can
> be displayed as the same color as the background..." That color has to be
> assigned somewhere and somehow. In most graphics program that color is
> inserted into the image by the user. Even Photoshop with its "transparent"
> gif requires you to set the color of at least one background pixel when
> creating a transparent gif. Paint cannot create transparent gifs. It can
> read the files and will use the current designated background color to
> display the image. That's as far as its capabilities go.

Oops, Photoshop will create a transparent background. My mistake, sorry.
Hopefully we can get a program or some steps to help the OP with their
problem. Thanks for your discussion about transparent gifs. Enjoyed it :)

--
Sharon F
MS-MVP/ Windows XP - Shell/User

[Sharon F]

On Thu, 14 Aug 2003 15:17:40 -0700, Robin wrote:

> We can't get the XP version of Microsoft Paint to save
> the transparent background properly on gif art created in
> Paint. We had no problems with it in the Windows ME
> version of Microsoft Paint.

Robin,
You may want to use another program for this. The program Irfanview is an
excellent little free program that is capable of much.
http://www.irfanview.com/
--
Sharon F
MS-MVP/ Windows XP - Shell/User

[I'm Probably Not Here]

On 15/8/2003 13:44, Sharon F wrote:

> On Fri, 15 Aug 2003 13:35:40 -0500, Sharon F wrote:

<==TRANSPARENT REMOVAL==>


> Oops, Photoshop will create a transparent background. My mistake, sorry.
> Hopefully we can get a program or some steps to help the OP with their
> problem. Thanks for your discussion about transparent gifs. Enjoyed it :)
>

And to you, Sharon: You are welcome, thanks for the apology, glad you
enjoyed this.