Custom Splash Screens

[angelize]

I can save you some time Gary I already tried Xara's BMP export and Alpha is not supported for BMP. But if we could find a program that can I suppose it might be possible to export from Xara as a png and use another program to export it as a bmp with transparency

[mwenz]

I can export transparent BMP files from PhotoLine. They work correctly in photo editing software, but not in many other types of applications, Xara included. Xara refuses to open one, AI opens it but without honoring the alpha channel.

I think that either Xara would need to allow the alpha channel support in BMP files, use a PNG or whatever, in order for the splash to support transparency.

Mike

Edit to add...the attached screen shot is from Word. The XDP8 splash has a rectangular hole, there is a blue rectangle behind the imported BMP with an alpha channel. Word? Go figure.

[angelize]

So I assume that your Transparent BMP from photoline would not load as a Xara splashscreen?

[mwenz]

No. And as mentioned, it also cannot even open it.

[Gare]

After some reading, definitely, for sure, the BMP file format supports an alpha channel, although some call it transparency, and alphas and layer transparency technically aren't the same thing.

I couldn't get a 32-bit splash screen to load when I had transparency saved.

It can be done. I'm not sure, though, that Xara is set up to recognize alpha information in a BMP image. I've been through several esoteric programs that claim they will save a BMP with transparency, but either the channel order is wrong, or it can't be done by mortals.

This is a screen snag of Painter loading in front of part of my Desktop. The lettering has an alpha around it, showing the patterned page I have behind it in Xara.




Technically, it's do-able.

By us? probably not!

[angelize]

Well this has been interesting for sure Anyway I've done some experimenting my self with different sizes of splash screens. I've found you can't go narrower than 480 pix or the information that the program overlays doesn't fit correctly, it seems that the overlay shows up in the same spot no matter what size your bitmap is. You can however go taller!

Here is one I did that's taller but maintains the same width. I've included the BMP file if anyone would like to use it. I zipped it because the forum has a 500kb size limit on BMP files and it's just a little bigger (698 kb)

[mwenz]

After some reading, definitely, for sure, the BMP file format supports an alpha channel, although some call it transparency, and alphas and layer transparency technically aren't the same thing.

I couldn't get a 32-bit splash screen to load when I had transparency saved.

It can be done. I'm not sure, though, that Xara is set up to recognize alpha information in a BMP image. I've been through several esoteric programs that claim they will save a BMP with transparency, but either the channel order is wrong, or it can't be done by mortals.

This is a screen snag of Painter loading in front of part of my Desktop. The lettering has an alpha around it, showing the patterned page I have behind it in Xara.




Technically, it's do-able.

By us? probably not!

I've checked the PhotoLine alpha BMP with PS. Same order, same result with Xara.

Like I mentioned, this is something Xara would need to change for it to work with itself. That Xara cannot even load one, whether stripping it like AI CS6, or honoring the alpha (like evidently Painter does), would likely be part of the fix. Uh, how about updated filters altogether in Xara Designer Pro 25 anyone?

Mike

[angelize]

Designer Pro 25?? I certainly hope we don't have to wait that long! Anyway getting back to splash screens does anyone else have any more?

[mwenz]

Designer Pro 25?? I certainly hope we don't have to wait that long! Anyway getting back to splash screens does anyone else have any more?

OK, OK. Just a bit tongue in cheek with the version 25 thing. It'll be version 20 ;^)
But I would settle for PDFX-4 in a patch.

I have started one before being on the phone too much. The present splash in XDP8--still haven't ponied up for XDP9--hasn't ever bothered me and the new one doesn't either with the exception of the omitted pencil or whatever. But it is a fun, short exercise...at least if I get off-line for a little while.

Mike

[mwenz]

Feelin' Blue

Liked Gary's Blue Cube rendering, redrew it in XDP, added oh so little to it. But it works for now.

Mike

Oops, the ZIP is updated. I forgot to move one of the cube's shadows...