Transparent images in the homescreen

[Guest Laban]

Hello!

I been trying for hours to display images in the homescreen that have transparencys, but no matter how I try (gif, png) I can't get the images to show correct. If I have a round ball that I want to show, the area outside the ball gets white making it really ugly.

Any help would be highly appreciated.

[Guest Phil John]

Hello!

I been trying for hours to display images in the homescreen that have transparencys, but no matter how I try (gif, png) I can't get the images to show correct. If I have a round ball that I want to show, the area outside the ball gets white making it really ugly.

Any help would be highly appreciated.

First of all, GIF is out because it only supports binary transparency. Also, I've found Photoshop to be a bit flaky with transparent PNG's. Using Adobe Fireworks (previously Macromedia Fireworks) try outputting a 32 bit png. Also try 24 bit and 8 bit with transparency set to alpha.

[Guest Laban]

First of all, GIF is out because it only supports binary transparency. Also, I've found Photoshop to be a bit flaky with transparent PNG's. Using Adobe Fireworks (previously Macromedia Fireworks) try outputting a 32 bit png. Also try 24 bit and 8 bit with transparency set to alpha.

Hi and thank you for the help.

I'm using Photoshop (and have Image Ready) and can only export 24 bit PNGs and don't know how to choose alpha channels. is there any other work around?

generally, there shouldn't be a problem displaying transparent pngs, is that correct?

[Guest hizad]

Hi and thank you for the help.

I'm using Photoshop (and have Image Ready) and can only export 24 bit PNGs and don't know how to choose alpha channels. is there any other work around?

generally, there shouldn't be a problem displaying transparent pngs, is that correct?

Laban

Did you manage to do that coz i tried PNG 8, 16 and 32 bits with no success, i have rjtimes & rjtask that really display transparent icons

[Guest Laban]

Laban

Did you manage to do that coz i tried PNG 8, 16 and 32 bits with no success, i have rjtimes & rjtask that really display transparent icons

No unfortunately not, I gave up for now. And since no one is posting a solution on how this works I'm not sure what to think. It must be possible since I've seen homescreens that looks like they have transparency but I'm not sure.

[Guest paholman]

No unfortunately not, I gave up for now. And since no one is posting a solution on how this works I'm not sure what to think. It must be possible since I've seen homescreens that looks like they have transparency but I'm not sure.

I've spent may hours trying to get this to work, but unfortunately I'm still trying. The SmartMonitor plugin supports transparency with it's icons/images, but many others, in particular the Windows Mobile seeded ones (msgcount, carrier etc) don't.

Many homescreens have their images on the background itself which may give you the impression they are transparent.

I've always tried to have one background image, and seperate images within the plugins themselves, as it's much easier to move them around, especially when plugins have auto resize (Calendar, msgcount2) or become visible when active (Missed Calls, All Day, Call Progress). It also gives the added benefit of being able to switch backgrounds images easily, and keep the plugin icons.

So far, I've had to either create square images, or use the same colour as the background instead of a transparent colour, a real time-wasting pain in the rear, but the only way I've been able to achieve it. Restriction with this method is the background has to be plain, or at least part of it, or the images won't blend in.

I've done quite a few homescreens over the last few years that cater my own specific requirements, but the only two (publicly available) homescreens I've shared are:

VOX WMP

Modaco QVGA 2007

I thought WM6 plugins would deliver better transparency support, but I fear this is still not possible with all plugins.