Saving 32bit TGAs

**Mike Truly** · 24 November 2007, 02:54 PM

I would like to request that saving 32bit TGAs be activated in XXP.

In the saving dialog, there even appears to be a 32bit setting but it is grayed out. I know I can save PNGs and that's great... but some apps can not read PNGs but CAN read 32bit TGAs (which have been around forever).

Also, I would love a way to actually display the alpha channel in XXP to more quickly see what will be getting alpha and what won't.

Thanks!

**-=Drifter=-** · 24 November 2007, 03:05 PM

Mike, I'm sorry that I can't help you with your request but I just wanted to say that I went to your site and viewed the 5 min. movie and was very impressed. You have a fascinating job.

One comment about your site: It doesn't quite seem to fit on the screen and the scrollbars on the right only move the pictures in the right column.

**molucca** · 24 November 2007, 03:25 PM

It dosen't appear that Xara will read ofr write a TCA alpha channel.

E3 will save out to a 32 bit TGA, and will read it back in. You would probably need to drag the file in or enter the extension in the open dialog box. It doesn't tell everything it can do.

Rich

**handrawn** · 24 November 2007, 03:31 PM

Gimp has 32 bit tga capability and will convert your alpha channel pngs to alpha channel tga - I have used it for this on the rare occasion I need alpha tga.

open source and well worth checking out:
http://gimp-win.sourceforge.net/stable.html

**Mike Truly** · 24 November 2007, 06:10 PM

Thanks for the ideas everyone!

I have many apps that will write 32bit TGAs but I would like XXP to write 32bit TGAs directly so that alpha generated by Xara objects is preserved into the TGA format without having to save to PNGs and then use some other app to convert PNGs to TGAs. Just wishing to streamline the production process a bit.

Bob, thanks for viewing my site and for pointing out that flaw. I'm guessing that you are using perhaps a lower resolution for your browsing such as 800x600? I think it should be OK at 1024x768 as I am currently browsing at 1280x1024 and there's lot's of room still. I'll look into tightening it up a bit when I get a moment.

Thanks again.

**handrawn** · 24 November 2007, 06:15 PM

looks ok on my 1280x1024 too Mike [Firefox 2.0.0.9]

**-=Drifter=-** · 24 November 2007, 06:29 PM

I am at 1024 x 768 on a 19" optiquest lcd monitor.

**Soquili** · 24 November 2007, 06:32 PM

Mike you may want to consider people that are using wide screen monitors. Many businesses are using 17", 19", and larger wide screen displays.

On a 17" display at 1280x720 your email address is at the very bottom of the display. The Colorado Film and Video Association logo is missing but may not be important to you.

On a 19" display at 1440x900 there is still plenty of blank space below the CFVA logo and the text below.

Just a suggestion as your site seems to be targeting the legal profession and they are notorious for keeping up appearances by using the latest technologies.

**Mike Truly** · 24 November 2007, 07:03 PM

Bill, thanks very much for the ideas. I wear so many hats that it has been a while since I put on my website hat and updated the site. I will look into this.

Bob, not sure exactly what's going on as I just switched my display to 1024x768 and those items are not cropped on mine. I'll have to do some more testing.

Thanks again.