PNG Thumbnail Mask Transparency Confusing

Judd Volino wrote on 8/16/2006, 6:34 PM

I'm using DVD Architect Studio 3. I have buttons that are Text + Thumbnail on my main menu. I'm trying to use to create a mask image for the thumbnails so they have rounded corners. I'm using Photoshop Elements 4.0 to create the image, which is basically a black frame, with rounded inside corners, and then the middle of the frame is transparent (grey/white grid shows through in Photoshop). I then export that graphic as a PNG-24 with transparency enabled. The problem that DVDA doesn't seem to be using the purely transparent area to allow the thumbnail to show through (as described in the manual/help file). Instead, I have to fill the middle with solid white, and then that works. So it seems to be using the RGB values rather than the alpha channel. Can anyone confirm this works the same way for them? It appears that Sony's themes that have masked thumbnails (like Birthday 1) don't use transparency in their PNGs, either. But this is a little confusing given what the docs say and what others have described in other postings in this forum.

Thanks,
Judd

Comments

TheHappyFriar wrote on 8/16/2006, 8:00 PM

i have DVDA 3 with Vegas 6 & don't need a png to make rounded corners for my thumbnails. When I choose a pre-made button theme (like round buttons, square buttons, etc) I select the button, then I go to the "highlight" properties on the right side of the screen, style -> image mask overlay.

then it only highlights non-alpha's parts of the button, which is normally the stuff around the thumbnail.

from what it sounds like you could just use a pre-made button & do that. but i belive you may be right. it uses shades of grey, not an actual alpha for it's mask.