Changing how Gimp represents Transparency

step7 · **Joined:** Jun 21, 2012 **Posts:** 106

GIMP Version: 2.6.11
Operating System: Windows
OS Version: XP - SP3
GIMP Experience: Basic Level

Can I configure the way Gimp represents transparency? I'd like to change the grey/greyer checker board to either a solid pink(?) colour, a checker board with different colours or a checker board with larger squares.

I see I can drop a solid colour layer in behind the layer I'm working on as a work around but this isn't ideal.

I'm working on very small images (64x64 down to 2x2!) which also have areas of checker board pattern with alternating transparent and non-transparent pixels, this makes interpreting which checker board is which (my image vs Gimp's transparent checker board) soooo confusing.

Any help appreciated.

paynekj · **Posted:** Thu Jun 28, 2012 8:19 am **(#2)**

The Edit>>Preferences>>Display page allows you to select the Transparency Check Style and Check Size, but doesn't give you the option of setting the background to an arbitrary colour - just White, Grey or Black solid colours.

Kevin

saulgoode · **Posted:** Thu Jun 28, 2012 8:22 am **(#3)**

Under the Display tab of the Preferences dialog, you have some minimal control of the appearance of transparency. Unfortunately, the only options for a solid background are black, white, and gray.

You might consider submitting an enhancement request to Bugzilla suggesting support for chromatic colors.

:ninja

step7 · **Joined:** Jun 21, 2012 **Posts:** 106

Thanks guys at least I know I'm not missing something, will go with my work around of having a solid pink* layer underneath my working layer. *Remember the good old days?

Erisian · **Posted:** Thu Jun 28, 2012 9:32 am **(#5)**

I usually add a layer, drag it to the bottom of the layer stack then flood fill it pink and delete the layer when I've finished.

anarkhya · **Posted:** Thu Jun 28, 2012 9:50 am **(#6)**

...Also, you can make your own checker board pattern and drop it as base layer.

Gms9810 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 28, 2012 9:59 am **(#7)**

Erisian wrote:

I usually add a layer, drag it to the bottom of the layer stack then flood fill it pink and delete the layer when I've finished.

I don't always use the same color but I do the same thing and it works well for me too.

step7 · **Joined:** Jun 21, 2012 **Posts:** 106

OK as a work around but causes me a few snags later on, for example: I'm using Gimp to create an optimised Indexed Palette and the background colour gets added to the Colour Map - nothing I cant live with, thanks again for the input.

anarkhya · **Posted:** Thu Jun 28, 2012 4:41 pm **(#9)**

Indeed. But as I suspect that you're using gimp for spriting, there may be some more specific software you want to check out. Even if, I secretly admit that I always get back to gimp after trying alternatives