Bitmap transparency is black in VW

[JHEarcht3]

Retired Architect. Over the hill software.

 

 I have a simple 2D elevation of an existing building. I want to add some shrubbery in front of the brick wall. But I can't get the image file to import with transparent background.

 

This is an old frustration in VW 2013. It's an excellent graphics application. But it imports bitmaps (jpg, gif, png) with transparent background, then adds a new black background to the transparent areas.

 

Has this been fixed in later editions of VW? Is it possible to import the image into a newer VW, and then export as a .vwx file, and import it into VW2013? I've tried various other methods to clear the background, but nothing has worked.

 

 

[TKA]

did you try to set background attribute to none? otherwise I used photoshop to turn background to Alpha channel which then works automatically.

[JHEarcht3]

Thanks. This is an old problem that I struggled with back when I was gainfully employed. I often used VW as a graphics application, but it can't handle transparency in images. Which is frustrating, since VW is easier to use in many other respects.

 

The image had the background erased in a graphics application. But apparently VW 2013 does not have Alpha Channel function. Setting image attribute to None has no effect. That's why I'm hoping someone can open the image (post above) in a new version, and export it as a .vwx file that I can import.

[Gadzooks]

 

15 hours ago, JHEarcht3 said:

Is it possible to import the image into a newer VW, and then export as a .vwx file, and import it into VW2013?

 

Looking at the image, it is very low quality and therefore 'blocky'. Are you sure you want it at that resolution?

 

I can save to 2013, but I think you'll find its a lost cause and your imported file will have its 'transparency' re-applied in black.

 

You might be better off with a 'sketchy' form in VW with overlaid green fill. PM me the 2013 file and I'll apply something if you think that will work for you.

 

 

[JHEarcht3]

1 hour ago, Gadzooks said:

I can save to 2013, but I think you'll find its a lost cause and your imported file will have its 'transparency' re-applied in black.

That's what I assumed. So the only other option I could think of was to open the original bitmap in a newer version of VW, and save it as .vwx file. VW can display transparency in its own format, but seems to be missing code for displaying Alpha Channel transparency.

 

I'm persisting in this quest because the transparency problem keeps blocking my occasional attempts to use VW as a graphics app. This quickie elevation of an existing building is an unpaid freebie, so the quest is more like a hobby. The original PNG file is attached.

[Gadzooks]

57 minutes ago, JHEarcht3 said:

VW can display transparency in its own format, but seems to be missing code for displaying Alpha Channel transparency.

 

The treatment of transparency is surely built into VW 2018 (my version) it won't work for you on 2013 - it will just regress the file to black background.

 

Unless someone will confirm, I don't think this will work. Perhaps a VW boffin will be able to confirm?

 

What will work is if you complete your design and, with the trees in place I'll open it for you and send back PDF's

 

But use PM

 

 

Edited May 31 by Gadzooks

[Jeff Prince]

1 hour ago, JHEarcht3 said:

The original PNG file is attached.

 

Did you know the PNG you attached doesn't actually have a useful Alpha for trimming out the plants?

It just has an Adobestock watermark across it.

 

Perhaps that is your problem?

[JHEarcht3]

On 5/31/2024 at 11:13 AM, Jeff Prince said:

Did you know the PNG you attached doesn't actually have a useful Alpha for trimming out the plants?

It just has an Adobestock watermark across it.

 

Perhaps that is your problem?

No. I mistakenly grabbed one of several images on my desktop to illustrate the image I was trying to import. I had previously made an alpha channel transparency in Corel PaintShop Pro. But I didn't label it as such, because the idea of posting on this board came much later. FWIW, I've attached a new file, labeled transparent. But it has white splotches around the watermarks that would have to be manually removed.

 

Anyway, thanks to all for your input. The picture & project are not important. So I'll just let it go. And I'll have forget my ancient dream --- from when I was in active practice --- of using VW as a general purpose graphics application.