I create translucency in PSP5 by creating a new layer and using the Flood Fill tool to select a starburst gradient with White foreground and Black background.

You can play with the layer blend modes to get the effect you want but the main trick is to reduce the opacity of the gradient with the slider (I usually go from 20 to 40%).

This will create a transparency if not a true translucency, but I know no other way to come close to the effect you describe in PSP.

Just an idea...

A3D [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif[/img]