Alpha channels
What are alpha channels?
Transparency information in TGA and PNG textures, which can be uploaded with the Second Life@ Viewer, is stored as an additional grid of grayscale data called an alpha channel. The alpha channel's pixel values, ranging from black to white, determine the texture's degree of transparency. Then, transparent textures are used to create organic shapes such as flame particles, trees, and clothing with ripped fabric — just about anything where visibly boxy dimensions are undesirable.
How do I use alpha channels and get clothing templates?
Different image editors use similar concepts but have different specific implementations. You should consult your preferred paint program's manual and find knowledgeable people who have already done what you want, or may know how. Most image editors have dedicated forums or other social networks dedicated to getting the most out of them.
Alpha channels are a critical part of advanced clothing creation, and two of the most popular resources are the Texture Tools and Clothing Tutorials pages. For personal help from other Residents, visit the Texturing Tips forum and Second Life Answers.
I have Adobe Photoshop 7 and it doesn't work when I try to save alpha channels. What's wrong?
Photoshop 7 is old, and upgrading to version 7.01 or newer solves this problem. The original version of Photoshop 7 had a TGA export bug. If upgrade is unlikely, an approach that has worked is to save to native Photoshop .psd being sure to satisfy all conditions for making alpha channel in line with tutorials. Then convert psd to tga with a suitable converter or online, e.g. Online-Utility.org Convert Images to Another Format, which allows you to upload a psd and immediately converts it to 32-bit tga that is downloaded to your machine. In a suitable viewer or uploaded into world a 32-bit Targa converter from native Photoshop clearly displays the effects of the alpha channel mask.