why do you want a background layer? Deleting it is like the first thing I do in almost every new file I make! In fact I would prefer if I could make new docs start without one.
When creating a new document, just select "transparent" for your background contents. I think that setting is persistent, so you only need to do it once.
ETA: So, am I missing something? Is there something that the Background Layer is actually useful for? Because as far as I can tell, it's simply inferior to a normal layer.
It's locked for certain operations? Such as a normal move operation. What is this useful for? Not sure... maybe for people who constantly manage to move their background layer?
When creating a new document, just select "transparent" for your background contents. I think that setting is persistent, so you only need to do it once.
I've wanted this for ever, I usually just do a whole | "ctrl + N" + [enter] | really quick and change dimensions after that so I never see the dialog.
Awesome!
I need a background layer if I need to save out a dds with alpha. Otherwise photoshop thinks I have an extra channel and won't save the bloody thing out.
Awesome!
I need a background layer if I need to save out a dds with alpha. Otherwise photoshop thinks I have an extra channel and won't save the bloody thing out.
I've always just flatten image before saving for DDS.
I'd kill for someone to write me an extensible photoshop script that would work along the lines of what we had at my old job. Any layer named DIFFUSE (case sensitive) would automatically be saved as NAME_diffuse.dds, where NAME comes from the group that DIFFUSE is a member of (it throws an error if its not in a group). You could prefix DIFFUSE with a 0,1, or 8 for no alpha, 1-bit or 8-bit alpha channels. It got the alpha from the layer mask on DIFFUSE. This could be repeated for SPECULAR and NORMAL.
It was so nice to just have one photoshop fild for all your textures, and all you had to do was a quick copy-merged + paste in the right later, then click the action button I had assigned to run the script, and blamo, done.
I was told it was a real pain in the ass to create though, so I haven't looked into it. Photoshop scripting resources aren't exactly plentiful either.
Also, vTools, it saves TGAs automatically using group name conventions. Could probably be amended to save DDS.
We have a custom GUI app here at work that batch converts to DDS with various options, and saves the settings per src image, pretty helpful. It's designed to use the Nvidia batch converter, which is free. Down at the bottom of this page, I have an older doc that explains how to use the Nvidia batch tool. Really easy once you get the hang of it.
Is there something that the Background Layer is actually useful for? Because as far as I can tell, it's simply inferior to a normal layer.
When downsizing an image without a bkg-layer, you'll end up with a bright outline (very noticeable on tiling textures) this dosen't happen with a bkg layer.
At least that's what I mainly use it for.
On the other hand I ususally make an action that duplicates, flattens (resize some times), saves with a proper name, and closes my file.
Yeah, the resizing makes the edges of the images transparent, which is why it makes it 'bright', it wont happen if the image has been flatten to a background. Something I learned the hard way, when exporting stuff, had to redo a lot of work because I didn't test it. :P
Thank you Eric! That vTools script was exactly what I was looking for! I've passed it on to a half dozen others today that have been equally as appreciative. Awesome find.
Yeah, the resizing makes the edges of the images transparent, which is why it makes it 'bright', it wont happen if the image has been flatten to a background. Something I learned the hard way, when exporting stuff, had to redo a lot of work because I didn't test it. :P
Wow... that explains a lot of the seams in some of my tiling textures! Thanks a lot.
I don't get why you're all so eager to throw it out, anyway. If anyone could explain some benefits of having a transparent background instead of just a black bg layer, let me know. Besides exporting to formats that use it for transparency instead of the alpha, ofcourse
Replies
Layer -> new -> Background from layer
The option only shows up if your image doesn't already have a background.
When creating a new document, just select "transparent" for your background contents. I think that setting is persistent, so you only need to do it once.
ETA: So, am I missing something? Is there something that the Background Layer is actually useful for? Because as far as I can tell, it's simply inferior to a normal layer.
I've wanted this for ever, I usually just do a whole | "ctrl + N" + [enter] | really quick and change dimensions after that so I never see the dialog.
Cheers!
Background Layer BE GONE! Bother me no more!
I need a background layer if I need to save out a dds with alpha. Otherwise photoshop thinks I have an extra channel and won't save the bloody thing out.
I've always just flatten image before saving for DDS.
It was so nice to just have one photoshop fild for all your textures, and all you had to do was a quick copy-merged + paste in the right later, then click the action button I had assigned to run the script, and blamo, done.
I was told it was a real pain in the ass to create though, so I haven't looked into it. Photoshop scripting resources aren't exactly plentiful either.
Also, vTools, it saves TGAs automatically using group name conventions. Could probably be amended to save DDS.
We have a custom GUI app here at work that batch converts to DDS with various options, and saves the settings per src image, pretty helpful. It's designed to use the Nvidia batch converter, which is free. Down at the bottom of this page, I have an older doc that explains how to use the Nvidia batch tool. Really easy once you get the hang of it.
When downsizing an image without a bkg-layer, you'll end up with a bright outline (very noticeable on tiling textures) this dosen't happen with a bkg layer.
At least that's what I mainly use it for.
On the other hand I ususally make an action that duplicates, flattens (resize some times), saves with a proper name, and closes my file.
Wow... that explains a lot of the seams in some of my tiling textures! Thanks a lot.