How can I export an GIF image with a transparent border?

[shiphen]

Hi

How do I create an (GIF) image (e.g. a button graphic) with a transparent border.

I have created my button, and behind it I have created a 'background' shape of the desired pixel dimensions. I then make the background shape transparent and with it still selected I try to export.

The problem I have is that if you have a shape that is completely transparent then it seems to ignore shapes above it when you come to export an image with just it selected...

- Any thoughts?

Ship
Shiperton Henethe

[Soquili]

Hi Ship,

I'm afraid how you are going about creating a transparent gif will not work. Even if you make your background shape 99.5% transparent it will reveal the colour of your work area due to how a gif antialiases.

Select the object you want to be visible in your gif and export with transparency. The objects will be antialiased to the work area colour or if another unselected object is behind you selection the antialiasing will be to the colour of the unselected object.

[Egg Bramhill]

Not sure that's correct Bill. If you create a button and place a larger shape behind it with no fill/no line colour then select all and export as a transparent gif the button will be the size of the background transparent shape but keep the button visible.

http://www.screencast.com/users/Egg_...9-1fabe4ddd044

[Soquili]

Egg isn't that what I said?

If the background object is selected, even if invisible it reveals the background (workarea) colour as shown in the first attached image in my previous post.

If there is no background object or the background object is not selected the exported gif is antialiased to the colour of the workarea or background object (not selected).

[Egg Bramhill]

No I don't think it is Bill.

If the background object is selected, even if invisible it reveals the background (workarea) colour

If the background object is selected & invisible, whilst the foreground object is visible, selecting both and exporting as a transparent gif only shows the foreground object but the background object remains transparent.

Basically I'm not using any of your scenarios, I'm selecting both the non filled/stroked rear rectangle AND the visible foreground object and exporting as a transparent gif. I don't think any of your options do this.

Hope I'm not getting confused here.

[Soquili]

If the background object is selected & invisible, whilst the foreground object is visible, selecting both and exporting as a transparent gif only shows the foreground object but the background object remains transparent.

Egg the first attached image shows two object above an 70% black work area.

The second attachment shows the same two objects but the rounded rectangle has been made 99.5% transparent.

The third attachment is the exported transparent gif. The black object at 99.5% transparent isn't visible, however the work area below the object is visible in the exported gif image.

The fourth attachment shows the same two foreground objects over a medium-dark cyan work area. Again the black rounded rectangle at 99.5% transparency is not visible but the work area under it is shown in the exported transparent gif.

[Egg Bramhill]

Ah! now I'm with you Bill. The trick is not to use a 99.5% transparency but a no fill no stroke background image.

Open my xar and select both shapes an export as a transparent gif. The background rectangles no longer visible.

[Soquili]

Ah, now I'm with you Egg.

[Egg Bramhill]

Thank heavens for that Bill, my brain was starting to hurt ;-)

[shiphen]

Thanks.

I think there may have been a slight bug slowing up in what I was trying to do.
My Xara file is quite large 1.2MB and starting to creak!
E.g. When rendering JPGs it sometimes 'forgets' how to anti alias. Changing the set view quality up and down *seems* to resolve the (intermittent) problem...

Cheers


Ship