This is a common PSP misconception. The transparency you see while working with an image in PSP is NOT the same as a transparent gif. The checkered background indicating you are working with a transparent background is only transparent in PSP.

To create a transparent gif, open an image with a colored background. Make sure it is a solid colored background. Then add a layer and draw some shapes. Then choose File > Export > Gif Optimzer > in the Transparency Tab select "Areas that match this color". If the color in the color display box is not your background color, click in the color box and then move the cursor to your background and left click. Now the color in the color box should match your background color. At this point go ahead and save your image. View it a browser with a colored web page background and you will have a transparent image. There is more to it, but that should get you started.

hth...mike

btw...if this is clear as mud let us know.

Mike,

Thanks for the insightful post.  much appreciated.  it worked perfectly!

Thanks again

Sorry to bust in on this thread with my own particular problem but it is very closely associated and I have come here to try to get it sorted. I feel the answer is obviously related.

I am trying to remove the white background from a small black logo (created in PSP) enabling the web page background of light blue to show through. The colour replacement tool just refuses to change it to a colour.

>>I am trying to remove the white background from a small black logo (created in PSP) enabling the web page background of light blue to show through. The colour replacement tool just refuses to change it to a colour.<<

Well, there are certain issues that come into play when you are wanting to remove parts of an image.

Possible Issues:

1. Will antialiasing be important?


2. Is the part being removed in a background or full layer?


3. Is the part being removed a solid color?


4. Does any part of the are to be removed have any whsips (is that a word?) of fine lined stuff like hair?

When trying to remove a background all the above is important. If the background is a solid white and there aren't to many soft curves, then the magic wand will work nicely. However if there are lots of curves, then using the freehand tool set to point to point might be a better option. The reason for that is because the freehand tool allows you to select with an antialiased selection.

Part of the problem with the magic wand is that in some instances the resulting selection tends to produce jagged edges along a curved edge. You can adjust the feathering but for curves, for the reason stated above, the freehand tool is probably the better overall way to make selections.

So, if you have a logo on a white background and the logo is just basic text, then the magic wand might work just fine. If the new background color is close to white, then the magic wand will work even better.

If for example you have a person or persons in a photo and you want to remove the background, I would use the freehand tool set to point to point.

TIP: Zooming in helps you make more accurate selections.

If the image only has a background layer, promote the layer to a full layer, Layers > Promote to a Layer. Next make your selection. Then invert the selection, Selections > Invert. Now you can press the delete key on your keyboard. Your background is gone.

If you want some more information on how to make good selections, visit my site at http://www.udraw2.com I have several basic tutorials on the subject.

A drawing tablet makes such selections easy.

hth...mike

Mike - Many thanks. Will have to spend a little time trying out your superb reply.

Treb wrote:
>>>I am trying to remove the white background from a small black logo (created in PSP) enabling the web page background of light blue to show through. The colour replacement tool just refuses to change it to a colour.<<<

If increasing the tolerance on the color replacer tool won't work, then try resetting the "replace" color:

Holding down the keyboard's ctrl key while any paint tool is in use will temporarily change the tool into an eye dropper, and will revert back to the chosen tool when the control key is released.....SO:

Ctrl+Right-Click to change the "replace color".  I've sometimes had to pick up a different color 7-8 times to get everything.