GIMP Version: 2.8.14
Operating System: Windows
OS Version: 7\Windows 7
GIMP Experience: New User

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Hello

Just downloaded GIMP yesterday and I need help with transparency

In the attachment, the little open area (that is white) I need it to be transparent so I can see another numbered dial that it will go on top of.

I know nothing about image editing, so this is a big request and more than happy and willing to do my homework.

Could someone break down how to make that little area transparent (while keeping all the icons and lettering on the dial remain white)?

Thank you

Since your target already has an alpha channel, just use the majic wand to select the white area then delete. You may need to grow the selection one pixel to remove all the white.

To make it really perfect:
- select with the wand
- grow 2 px
- Color>COlor 2 alpha and remove the white

Thank you both so very much

I'll give that a go tonight at home!

So, this what I ended up with.....

I had the white area selected with "fuzzy tool"....it was highlighted....clicked the white area......then used "Bucket fill tool"........then I set the affected area to Fill whole selection" and clicked inside that white area....it turned it black....saved it the area was black.....not transparent

Where did I go wrong?

Thanks

You don't want to fill the area; just delete it (hit the delete key). I attached what I believe you want as the result (of course the white background of this website won't show the transparency). I actually just selected the area and grew 2 pixels (ofnuts was right) and chose color to alpha (cleaner result).

Did that...and it still shows up (white or black) in that area.

I'm importing that dial image into a virtual tabletop program (linking it directly via Imgur)....not sure if that is the issue?

Not sure why I can't get that white area to show up transparent.

Probably showed up as your background colour.
I just did one quickly and got this. (Forgot to grow selection )

Make sure whiteis your background colour and only select with a 'fuzzy select tool' the area you want to clear. I alpha to selected it

Whichever way you cut out the area, you should end up with a checker board pattern which in Gimp denotes transparency.

Some games engines handle transparency in a strange way.

When you come to export the image as a png, un-tick the default option
Save color values from transparent pixels



might make a difference.

Newb here just learned something. Thanks for that lylejk

Ditto.

A good look at that base.png image and being small 366 x 366 pix a fuzzy select followed by growing 1 or 2 pixels then cut, does leave a horrible jaggy edge.

A more appropriate way, just for this type of image might be a careful erase of the area.

Use a white brush in color erase mode.

Demo and why's-n-wherefore's https://youtu.be/bKvk5Xn6UBY 2 minutes for the whole thing.

Assuming a beginner, remember to reset your brush mode back to normal before closing Gimp

thank you for that video rich!

However, when I load up image I don't see the checked pattern behind the image. I'm guessing it's a layers issue?

I figured I had to "add alpha channel" under transparency, but when I do that it doesn't change....the background is all white

Gah!

I opened up the wrong file.

Time to watch Rich's video again

So.....I got it to work.

rich2005, thank you for the video. Exactly what I needed.

Everyone else who helped out, thank you very much.

Time to practice this more!!

I'm stuck on how you all have GIMP setup. I have the toolbox and tool options in separate little windows. I know there is a way to get it all in one window. I'm sure there is a tutorial on that so I can find that.

Again, thanks

Very well done and informative video rich. Thanks for that.

another noob question

I cannot find that little option where you can invert the color from one to the other.....

in rich's video it's where you click to change black to white or white to black....not sure how else to call it.