PSP Pro 8 - Converting .png element files to .psp files.

[Dani B]

Hello,
I am useing PSP 8 and am trying to use some pretty bows from a kit I bought from Digital Scrapbook Place.
I have opened them in PSP and converted them from .png files to .psp files.
The bows have shadows and look so pretty on a white background, but when I place them on the darker background that comes in the kit, the shadows are an ugly grey and look awful rather than blending and showing depth on the page like they should.
Is there a work around for this in my PSP program ? Or am I doing something wrong in the way I convert them ? I followed the tutorial for converting them here on the DSP page.

I would apreciate any help you can send my way.
Thanks,
Dani B.

[Maikku]

I'm wondering why you are converting them. I thought PSP8 is compatable with png files. Might be wrong though. I use both PSPX and PSP9 and I don't convert png files I use them as is. :confused:

[Dani B]

Hi Maikku,
Things like elements do not show up as transparent at all. I have to convert them to .pspimage files first. Otherwise they show solid white backgrounds on them. Yours show as transparent in versions you have?

I am useing PSP version 8. Hummm, guess I am going to have to upgrade soon as I love the scrapbooking and want to keep doing it.
Dani B.

[tape]

PSP 8 should definitely show PNGs on a transparent background. Have you updated to 8.10? Versions prior to that were pretty buggy.

[valeri]

I use psp 8.1 and it works fine with PNG files. They are transparant, so I am not sure why there would be anything grey on them. I have never had this problem. I don't even know if the patch from 8.0 to 8.1 still exists, but I seem to remember that it was pretty necessary.

Hoping someone else remembers the fix... but it had something to do with a mask, or a selection that is opened from the alpha channel. Sorry... pretty brain dead here today

[Phos4us]

Yes, I had that problem too. It's a real simple fix. You don't need to convert anything.
Open the png file, then go to (trying to remember what the path is in PSP8) I think selections>load from alpha channel
Then you have two options. You can copy and paste as new image which will give you the png as it was intended with transparency and everything, or you could click Selection>Invert then hit the Delete button, to remove the unsightly background. Both will get you beautifully clear and transparent elements !
Now you can save your new images as psp files - to save you from doing this extra step every time. HTH !

[Dani B]

Thanks for all the help, you all are wonderful here.

I do remember getting an update for version 8 a good while back before the company changed hands, but I never used pngs until I started scrapping.
Anyway can not find that update now on the website. I checked my program and its says version 8.10 I used the load alpha channel way and anything with a premade shadow on it shows as an ugly battleship grey for its shadow.

Now for the good news !

I downloaded the trial version of PSP X - and I opened the png files in it.
Everything shows up transparent in it and shadows on all my elements are just the way they should be - with soft and beautiful shadows.
Battleship grey is no more! I am soooooo happy!

Now I just need to get used to this new version of PSP X and I am back to creating again - thanks so much for all your help.
Dani B

[Pam]

Emma wrote a tutorial about png files (http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/university/tutorials/psp_transparentPNG_ep.shtml). It shows a fix for the problem you're having. Also, this link (http://www4.jasc.com/pub/en/psp810enp.exe) is to the 8.1 update - still from jasc - with a "readme" here (http://www4.jasc.com/pub/en/psp810_readme.pdf).

[SonyaL]

I have the same problem trying to save a png file in PSP 8.10 I have done the tutorial and it stills shows a white background now one thing I need to try is restart PSP and see if that might work.
On the tut mine was already set like that and I still get the white background.

Just wanted you to know you are not alone on this issue.

[bethliz]

I am puzzled i have never had a problem with my version of PSP...i use 8 but it could 8.1.....created back when good old JASC was running the show...sorry to hear of your probs and good to hear you have moved on...i know how frustrating it can be...Cheers Liz

[Emma]

in PSP 8 go to File>Preferences>File Formats and click the PNG tab. Check the Load Transparency box (or uncheck if it's checked) and open a PNG again. There's a tutorial for in called Transparent PNG in The Campus section

http://www.digitalscrapbookplace.com/university/tutorials/psp_transparentPNG_ep.shtml

Then they'll open properly

[Dani B]

Hi, I never could get my PSP 8 to show .png files as transparent no matter what I did - update or not. Converting them useing the tutorial was helpful but did not get rid of the grey shadow.

I have reformated my computer and reinstalled all my programs all over again.

PSP Pro 8 and the update are installed and I can now see my .png files as transparent and no grey shadows of any kind. Its working perfectly now.

I had never done scrapbooking or used .png files until I came to this site.
I have to tell you that haveing transparent .png files is like magic to me now
compared to the way I had been trying to work with them before - LOL

Thanks for all the help and suggestions that you have given me - you are all terrific !