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Posted on 03/06/08 1:00:07 PM
tooquilos
Wizard of Oz
Posts: 2918

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Targa Files
Ive been making my own buttons in Photoshop to use in video editing when creating menus.

My problem is, its suggested that the file is saved as a "Targa" file, however when I do that..the white background appears also.

Does anyone know how to save it as a Targa file without the white background?

Ive attached an example.

Thank you in advance...Anna



Posted on 03/06/08 3:12:52 PM
cy98
**
Posts: 115

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Re: Targa Files
I think it has to do with how Targa saves files. It is s raster based system so it may no be able to save a transparent background. Check out the discussion in the following link and see it if gives you any clues.

http://www.howtocheatinphotoshop.com/cgi-bin/simpleforum_pro.cgi?fid=02&topic_id=1205170161

Posted on 03/06/08 4:36:16 PM
Steve Caplin
Administrator
Posts: 7068

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Re: Targa Files
Targa? Are you sure? This is an ancient format - I haven't seen any apps that use it for years. A TIFF would seem to me to be the best solution.

Posted on 03/06/08 7:27:34 PM
vibeke
Kreative Kiwi
Posts: 2166

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Re: Targa Files
What about Gif, or Jpeg2000

Posted on 04/06/08 07:07:14 AM
Steve Caplin
Administrator
Posts: 7068

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Re: Targa Files
GIF's a very lossy format - with a maximum of 256 colours, you'd lose a lot of quality. JPEG2000 is good, but does your video program support it? I'd be surprised if it does.

Posted on 04/06/08 11:28:01 AM
tooquilos
Wizard of Oz
Posts: 2918

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Re: Targa Files
Thank you everyone for your help. TIFF and PNG work beautifully!!

Vibeke, I dont know what JPEG2000 is. Havent seen that option to save on Photoshop.

Yes Steve, the instruction book for Pinnacle 11 refers to Targa files and if you want to make your own buttons, to save using that format. Until yesterday, Id never heard of that term.

Anna

Posted on 04/06/08 4:29:15 PM
Steve Caplin
Administrator
Posts: 7068

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Re: Targa Files
JPEG 2000 is a file format that’s like JPEG, but supports transparency. It's available as an extra installable plug-in, you'll have it somewhere on your Photoshop installer disk.

I've never heard of Pinnacle 11 - but then I'm not a pC user!

Posted on 07/06/08 3:28:14 PM
vicho
Ingenious Inca
Posts: 248

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Re: Targa Files
hi Anna
i think the trick with TGA files is to work with channels. You would have to create an Alpha Channel, load and save your selection there, so that the black area is the one that would be transparent (hidden)when it appears in other application...this is how it usually works in 3d apps for example..
hope it helps =)

Posted on 08/06/08 11:46:55 PM
Bob
Expert Expressionist
Posts: 130

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Re: Targa Files
Targa (TGA) was defined by Truevision, Inc. which is now Pinnacle Systems. So, I'm not surprised that they recommend TGA files.

But, you don't need to use TGA. Tiff and PNG are much more mainstream. Personally, I use Adobe products for my video and DVD authoring and prefer to use good old PSD.

Posted on 09/06/08 06:33:29 AM
tooquilos
Wizard of Oz
Posts: 2918

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Re: Targa Files
Thanks Bob and Vicho for your input.

Bob I have used Adobe Premiere Elements..but proved to be quite a frustating experience..would get to around 98% burning and then crash. On the advice of a friend, Im giving it another go now..see how that goes.

Anna

Posted on 10/06/08 11:07:06 PM
Bob
Expert Expressionist
Posts: 130

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Re: Targa Files
I hope it works out better this time. It's been very stable on my system. I've been very happy with it and will probably move up to the Pro version when the next release comes out. I'm also using After Effects.

If you run into that problem again, you might try burning to a folder. If you have Roxio or some other burning software, you probably already have a utility that can burn the DVD from the folder image. I'll often do that when I am making multiple copies.

I keep a separate hard drive for my video work and set the preferences to use that for scratch and temp files. That way I don't run out of space.

Good Luck!
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