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Temporarily Removing Apha Channel in GIMP


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I'm attempting to get my feet wet in Skyrim modding and starting out with some simple recolors. However, there's alpha channels on the textures that I'm manipulating, and I can't exactly see what I'm doing to the colors. Is there a way to temporarily get rid of the alpha channel, and then put it back when I'm done with the coloring?

 

Edit: Stupid title typo! :rolleyes: :wallbash:

Edited by AurianaValoria1
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Well, when trying to disable the alpha channel layer, it disabled the whole texture. :wallbash: So I'm working with semi-transparent textures, and I'm having a really hard time seeing what I'm doing.
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I know it's a late reply, but...

 

Does the layer already have a mask? (It shouldn't, if you're just opening the game's dds files.) If not, try adding a mask, selecting "transfer layer alpha channel". Then you either alt+click or ctrl+click on the mask in the layers list to disable the mask. It is also an option in the right-click menu for the layer. When you're done, just use "apply layer mask" to turn it back into the layer's alpha channel.

 

Weird workaround, I know. The channels tab (unless there's another one somewhere) only controls what you're currently editing, not what you're seeing. I do not know of any way to disable things, other than masks and entire layers.

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I know it's a late reply, but...

 

Does the layer already have a mask? (It shouldn't, if you're just opening the game's dds files.) If not, try adding a mask, selecting "transfer layer alpha channel". Then you either alt+click or ctrl+click on the mask in the layers list to disable the mask. It is also an option in the right-click menu for the layer. When you're done, just use "apply layer mask" to turn it back into the layer's alpha channel.

 

Weird workaround, I know. The channels tab (unless there's another one somewhere) only controls what you're currently editing, not what you're seeing. I do not know of any way to disable things, other than masks and entire layers.

 

Well, I tried what you suggested, and I ended up with a marbled black and white silhouette. :wallbash:

 

Thanks for the help, though. :)

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The simplest method I've found is to disable viewing the alpha layer as step 1. As step 2 create a new layer, flood fill it with a high contrast color that makes your texture stand out then place it below what I'm editing. After I'm done I disable or delete that layer and save the texture. That way you have a background to work against and can re-enable the alpha channel after you're done.

 

The marbled (more likely checkerboard) pattern is PS/GIMPs way of denoting a completely transparent area.

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