How to modify a .tga image ?

from WinCustomize Forums
With the per pixel function, tga's are becoming more and more important ...

I'd like to know how to modify a tga image:
- I want to move the right border of an image (border_top_alpha image) with X pixels to the right and copy and paste X pixels from another part of the image just before what i moved ...
- i get Paint Shop Pro 8, but i can't manage to do it (it seems to me the alpha channel is not moved correctly, because when i save the new image the size is much less than the original one, and the image does not work properly ... )

Anyone for suggestion ?
12,753 views 12 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top
In SkinStudio, go to Tools > Preferences > Image editors > enable "Convert TGA files to PNG before using image editors" > OK

Now when you choose a TGA to edit, SkS will convert it to PNG, and open it in PSP. Make your changes, and save. When you save the skin in SKS the PNG will be converted to TGA.
Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hum, hum, i've seen that but now that the PNG which is not made the right way ...   
WindowBlinds - Free yourself of the default settings, customize your desktop.
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hey neophil, what do you mean by not made the right way. When sks set up as Koa said it will open a proper png of the tga in your graphics software.
Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yep Cavan1, but after modifications on PNG, saving it, saving the skin in SKS, i see that the new TGA file is not good ...   
Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Thanks, SuperK! I have gotten frustrated trying to change tga's in a few skins. Will be trying this approach soon

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It may be that the change you are making is changing the relation of the image to the sizing margins in SKS, thus making in apply different than you want.
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top
after modifications on PNG, saving it, saving the skin in SKS, i see that the new TGA file is not good ...


In PSP 8 go to File > Preferences > File Format Preferences > PNG tab > disable "Load and save transparency from / to alpha channel" > OK.

If it's already disabled, then I don't know what's wrong, unless it's what Cavan1 suggested.


Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top
In PSP 8 go to File > Preferences > File Format Preferences > PNG tab > disable "Load and save transparency from / to alpha channel" > OK.


Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, that was it, it worksssssssssssss   


Now the problem is that i wanted to expand the border_top image to be able to add buttons ( like roll/unroll or Ontop button ...).
Everything's ok now for the normal border_top.bmp, OK for the perpixel caption border top, OK for the perpixel maximized caption top, Ok for the buttons i want to add, but how to add perpixel for these new buttons ???? Everything's well shown in SKS preview, but not when applying the skin. It seems SKS is not able to let add perpixel "other"buttons...   
Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Per-pixel window frames can only have the standard minimize, max/restore, and close buttons.
Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Per-pixel window frames can only have the standard minimize, max/restore, and close buttons.


So it means that WB5 is no more able to add other buttons in titlebar ? or is there a way to get round that ?
Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top
The only way around it is to not make per-pixel window frames. You can still take advantage of all the other WB5 features.
Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yep, that's what i did, i deleted both sections [WindowFrame.TopPerPixel] and [WindowFrame.TopPerPixelMaximized] and things are going OK  

(Well BTW, in my opinion, the perpixel is not extraordinary to be used for the Window Titlebar ... )

As i speak of it, i noticed, using per-pixelWindow frames for the top bar, makes the soundable function not working properly.