White halo around some plants

[BJRobinson]

Hi all.

Can someone tell me how to get rid of the white halo that appears around some of the plants in my plans?

[jeff prince]

Looks like the alpha channel (cut out) of the plant could be improved.

 

Open the graphics used to depict the plant in Photoshop, Affinity Photo, or similar.

• Create a new layer under the current one and fill it with red (this will help see the edge of the plant better).
• Refine the alpha channel.
• Delete that red layer mentioned earlier
• Save as PNG w/alpha channel
• Bring it back into Vectorworks and replace your plant's graphics as appropriate.

Hope it helps.

[BJRobinson]

38 minutes ago, jeff prince said:

Looks like the alpha channel (cut out) of the plant could be improved.

 

Open the graphics used to depict the plant in Photoshop, Affinity Photo, or similar.

• Create a new layer under the current one and fill it with red (this will help see the edge of the plant better).
• Refine the alpha channel.
• Delete that red layer mentioned earlier
• Save as PNG w/alpha channel
• Bring it back into Vectorworks and replace your plant's graphics as appropriate.

Hope it helps.

Thanks, But don't have any of those. They are plant symbols in the VW Library, so I would have thought they wouldn't need any modifying.

[jeff prince]

1 hour ago, BJRobinson said:

Thanks, But don't have any of those. They are plant symbols in the VW Library, so I would have thought they wouldn't need any modifying.

Post a file with the problem plants in there and someone will take a look at them.  They sure look like image based graphics to my eye.

[zoomer]

I think that is a similar problem as happened with stencil maps

and transparency in rendering.

There was a problem that was/will be solved or at least there

was some kind of workaround.

 

Not sure if I would find that thread again ...

[rDesign]

I found another thread with a similar ‘white halo’ issue, but it involved 3D geometry so the suggested fix may not solve your issue.

And another thread related to image props.

 

Hope that helps.

[zoomer]

^ Yes, that's what I meant ....

[BJRobinson]

Thanks Everyone.

I tried unselecting the thing in advanced properties. No luck.

I then copied the plants to a blank project and created a viewport so I could post it here. What do you know. No Halo!!

So what is different between the 2 I wonder.

[BJRobinson]

Here is a file that has to plants copied and pasted as above plus I copied some of the design to it and they have come out with a halo.

Here it is. https://www.dropbox.com/s/72tkfdq6whzvocl/Untitled 1.vwx?dl=0

Any help will be appreciated.

[Tom W.]

2 hours ago, BJRobinson said:

Thanks Everyone.

I tried unselecting the thing in advanced properties. No luck.

I then copied the plants to a blank project and created a viewport so I could post it here. What do you know. No Halo!!

So what is different between the 2 I wonder.

 

The halo is still there, you just don't see it against the white background.

 

 

I think @jeff prince is correct: that not enough white was converted to transparent when the image was created + the only option is for you to go back + finish the job. Perhaps the issue was the fact that removing more of the white pixels around the perimeter of the plant was also going to the white flowers inside it. You can see some of this has happened already. But this is solved by painting the flowers back in again:

 

 

See: Halo Plant v2022.vwx

 

[BJRobinson]

On 10/8/2022 at 5:10 PM, Tom W. said:

 

The halo is still there, you just don't see it against the white background.

 

 

I think @jeff prince is correct: that not enough white was converted to transparent when the image was created + the only option is for you to go back + finish the job. Perhaps the issue was the fact that removing more of the white pixels around the perimeter of the plant was also going to the white flowers inside it. You can see some of this has happened already. But this is solved by painting the flowers back in again:

 

 

See: Halo Plant v2022.vwx

 

Thanks everyone for your help. I don't have the software to do this. I will just have to not use these images in the future.

 

[jeff prince]

2 hours ago, BJRobinson said:

Thanks everyone for your help. I don't have the software to do this. I will just have to not use these images in the future.

 

If you need a good photo program and run a Mac or IPad, I highly recommend Affinity Photo.  It’s powerful, inexpensive, and a perpetual license.  I like the iPad version best and use it with the pencil.  Worth the small investment and time to get up to speed with it if you have any photo editing or traditional rendering needs.

[Tom W.]

I looked at Affinity Photo but choose Pixelmator Pro. Can't remember why. But was similarly inexpensive/perpetual. And an invaluable addition to the VW workflow when creating textures, decals, image props, etc. In my opinion many of the resources in the VW libraries should be considered as examples or starting points + the program really comes into its own when you begin creating your own + a photo program is essential for doing this.

[zoomer]

I started with Pixelmator long ago and it is perfect and easy to use for my seldom use.

I also bought into Affinity Photo but I found it far more complex, less intuitive and

more steep learning curve.

But of course the go to for any Photoshop avoiders.

 

Nevertheless, if I get that right @BJRobinson is a Windows user, so no Pixelmator for him.

I would recommend free open source image App GIMP.

And searching for a few video tutorials, just related to his few needed tasks.

[rDesign]

There are also some free online photo editors like Pixlr Editor which should be able to remove the background (I have not tried this to confirm).

[BJRobinson]

On 10/15/2022 at 3:28 PM, jeff prince said:

If you need a good photo program and run a Mac or IPad, I highly recommend Affinity Photo.  It’s powerful, inexpensive, and a perpetual license.  I like the iPad version best and use it with the pencil.  Worth the small investment and time to get up to speed with it if you have any photo editing or traditional rendering needs.

Nah, Sorry, I use a PC. Thanks anyway.

[jeff prince]

38 minutes ago, BJRobinson said:

Nah, Sorry, I use a PC. Thanks anyway.

It runs on windows too, can’t be beat for the price/performance compared to similar products.

[zoomer]

Yes Affinity runs on Mac and PC.