Alpha Transparency in AtomicFE or any other Front End

[AllisterFiend]

(I was not sure where to post this message as it has to do with both software and graphics, I decided to put it into the software forum as I think that is where I am having my problem.)

I'm not even sure what I am trying to do will work.

I know how to create a transparent layer as long as it is simple flat image or one color, but I would like to put a semi-realistic glass reflection over my snapshot, this image has about 180 different grayscale colors.  I have been reading about Alpha Transparency and thought that this could solve my problem.  I have noticed that AtomicFE and Dragon King support Alpha Transparency but neither go into any detail on how to use it with their programs.  I have read somewhere that you can have from 128 to 256 gray scale colors on an alpha transparent image.  I am using PhotoShop CS (9.0 I think) and it has the save to web feature and can support Alpha Transparency.  It also has PNG24 as well as Gif 8bit Alpha Transparency.  I have gone thru tutorials that tell me how to create a mask and save it as an Alpha Transparent image and I go thru the steps with no problems so I am not sure if I am doing something wrong when I save the images or if I am doing something wrong when I try to get it too work in the front ends.

I wanted to use MALA as it seems very nice but it does not support Alpha Transparency.  I am currently trying to set it up in AtomicFe.

I am going to try to post a picture showing the outcome that I would like and also a picture of the theme (Dragon's Lair), The normal images will be 1280x1024 but I made these smaller so they will take up less bandwidth.

I also have a link to the .psd file (PhotoShop). I made the image half the normal size and then Zipped it to make it much smaller, about 1 meg.

http://bellsouthpwp.net/j/d/jdelouis/Images/AlphaTransparencyLayoutHalfSize.zip

I do have a work around for my problem.  I can just put the text list over the glass and it looks just fine, my problem is with the snapshots, If worse comes to worse and what I am trying to do is over the top, then I could just use photoshop and put each snapshot under the glass layout and resave the images, it is time consuming but I only have about 200 games on my machine anyway.  Also, by doing it this time consuming way, I will not be able to share the layout with anyone as no one will want to do each snap individually.

Maybe someone here can offer some suggestions, especially any AtomicFE guru's.

Thanks for your time.


Allister Fiend

[Havok]

Very cool!

I unfortunately am not good with layouts on Atomic yet, but I'll forward this on to the guys that are and see if we can get an answer for you. Also, the layouts are even more capable in version 18, which Youki will be making available once he returns from vacation in a week.

[gonzobrian]

Have you tried this with AtomicFE?  What problem are you having with the alpha layer?  What level have you tried setting it at.  Also with the atomic lay out editor you have to click View-->Preview in atomic to see what it will really look like.

Nice lay out. 

[gonzobrian]

Just did a down and dirty test with the images you supplied and think it will work out great.  You will have to share once you get it finished.  Like the effect of the reflection in the glass.

[Aurich]

If worse comes to worse and what I am trying to do is over the top, then I could just use photoshop and put each snapshot under the glass layout and resave the images, it is time consuming but I only have about 200 games on my machine anyway.  Also, by doing it this time consuming way, I will not be able to share the layout with anyone as no one will want to do each snap individually.

Hopefully there's an easy answer in the front end itself (never used AFE), but it would take all of 30 seconds to make an action in Photoshop to add the alpha layer, and then another couple of minutes to do a batch job on your snapshot folder.

[Howard_Casto]

dk does alpha channels as does 3darcade.  Hope that helps.

[AllisterFiend]

Have you tried this with AtomicFE?  What problem are you having with the alpha layer?  What level have you tried setting it at.  Also with the atomic lay out editor you have to click View-->Preview in atomic to see what it will really look like.

Nice lay out. 

I'm using AtomicFE 17.2.

I just can not seem to get it to look like the example I posted.  The best that I could get still makes the layer come out sort of opaque and not shiny like it does when I use photoshop.  I will post an example below and show you how it looks in AtomicFE and you can compare it to the example in my first post. I think the level is set to 100 in the example below.

Like I said, maybe I'm just expecting too much and it will not come out looking like shiny glass.

Just did a down and dirty test with the images you supplied and think it will work out great.  You will have to share once you get it finished.  Like the effect of the reflection in the glass.

How did you save it as an alpha channel in Photoshop and could you also let me know how you set it up in AtomicFE, Under Layout properties what is your transparent color, did you use a Custom or Dynamic Custom object?, and under effects what level did you set the alpha as?  Do you have a sample picture of your test?

Thanks for your help.

Allister Fiend

[Howard_Casto]

Hold up... if you have to set a transparent color in atomic that is color KEYING not a true alpha channel.  For what he is wanting to do he'll need something that supports alpha blending. 

[headkaze]

Another way to approach this problem is to convert all your snaps over. I have written up a simple batch file that uses ImageMagick to convert all the snaps in the snap folder.

After you install ImageMagick put your snaps in the snap folder and run the runme.bat file.

It might work out for you, not sure

[gonzobrian]

Well my down and dirty looks about like yours.  Only did the right side first overlaying your solid green image then the glass layer.  I did not put any text behind it.  Also disregard the top portion, was playing around with overlaying the image below over the red clouds at the top.  Looks pretty cool scrolling slowly across. 

In atomic used a custom object.  Alpha set to 94.  The transparency color I left black, because I just cut out your sample 3 layers and the background is black.  It's what ever color you don't want shown through. 

I'll have to play around with it some more to see if the effect can be improved.  I'm in no way an expert but learn something every time I play around with it.  I'm sure when youki gets back from vacation this week he can help out more than I.  Also I have been using a beta of 018 and there are a lot of new features in the layout editor. 

[gonzobrian]

Sorry that was your example.  Here's mine 

[Havok]

Got one response so far:

Hi AllisterFiend,

At the moment, the masks in AtomicFE are binary. So you can have your layer seen or not seen depending on the mask (if you want a hole in it for example).
Now, what you can also do is to apply a transparency to a layer, but it will be the same transparency for the whole layer. Maybe you can apply a mask to it too, I don't now that exactly.
Now, maybe this will be a new feature in version 18, I did not have any time to give a try to the beta Youki sent me yet, but he is aware of that point and this might be implemented one day or another.
The best thing to wait I think is to wait until he comes back next week so he can tell you exactly about that.
You can try the general alpha + mask first, it might give a first glimpse at your work.

Hope this helps

bye

squeeek

Looks like it may not be able to do quite what you are looking for, but I have seen a sample layout in the new 18 version, and it is wicked cool. Hopefully we can get an answer in a week or so...

[AllisterFiend]

Thanks for the compliments!

Another way to approach this problem is to convert all your snaps over. I have written up a simple batch file that uses ImageMagick to convert all the snaps in the snap folder.

After you install ImageMagick put your snaps in the snap folder and run the runme.bat file.

It might work out for you, not sure

Works great HeadKaze, If I can not get the glass to look good using Alpha Transparency, I will use your program to convert my snaps.

...You will have to share once you get it finished...

I will definitely share once I am done, but it is still very much a work in progress, and I am in the process of redoing it (the orbs stay in),  currently it is way to busy and I plan on making it much more simplistic with less characters from the game and a uniform background so it will be easier on the eyes.  I have a second monitor on top of my cabinet and I will need another background eventually, so I will probably use some of the characters left over on the second monitor.

Very cool!

I unfortunately am not good with layouts on Atomic yet, but I'll forward this on to the guys that are and see if we can get an answer for you. Also, the layouts are even more capable in version 18, which Youki will be making available once he returns from vacation in a week.

Is there any chance of getting a hold of version .18, or is it in a closed beta?


Allister Fiend

[Havok]

Is there any chance of getting a hold of version .18, or is it in a closed beta?

Allister Fiend

Out of respect for the developer, I will let him distribute the new version. I hope you understand. Don't worry though, he'll be back within a week so that's not too bad...

I'll also keep you posted if I get any more information.

[AllisterFiend]

Is there any chance of getting a hold of version .18, or is it in a closed beta?

Allister Fiend

Out of respect for the developer, I will let him distribute the new version. I hope you understand. Don't worry though, he'll be back within a week so that's not too bad...

I'll also keep you posted if I get any more information.

Thanks Havoc,

Looking forward to seeing whats new in AFE .18.

Allister Fiend

[youki]

Hi,

Back from vacation.   So , Atomic 0.18 won't solve that problem yet. 
Routine (gradual transparency mask) to do what you want are implemented in 0.18 but won't be accessible  to user yet , will be in 0.19 , i still have some improvement  and bug fix to do on that side.

Anyway that routine requires a good processor to have good response time (directly linked to the size of the surface where you are applying gradual alpha) . (i' d said for the surface you want , you wil need at least a 1.5ghz processor).

I will be happy to provide you same beta version of the 0.19 (when i will have some)  if you want test that part.

[AllisterFiend]

I will be happy to provide you same beta version of the 0.19 (when i will have some)  if you want test that part.

Yes, That would be great.

Thank You Youki.


Allister Fiend