I can’t open the alpha files in psd format but I can read the images exported as psd files in Paint Shop Pro 7.04, it doesn’t support that color depth. I’m having to use bmp files for alpha instead. Is there a way to make Zbrush save in 32bit mode for exported alphas in psd format?
I’ve searched threads regarding alpha channels until my eyes are tired. What I want to do apparently can’t be done in Zbrush. I want to save the plain old black and white (with antialiased edges) type mask for removing an object from the background with the transparency values of an object if applicable.
Are there any plans to add features to make masks for objects with transparency and to save an alpha mask without depth as a separate channel in the psd files or as an option for exported alphas in Zbrush? I use most of what I do for compositing, making tubes/nozzles/spray images mostly rather than scenes, so alpha channels are a major part of my work.
Right now when I want to pick a solid object from the image, I convert the background of the saved alpha bmp to a layer, use an eliminate black filter that makes black transparent in the image. I select all, select similar, which gets any remaining white/grey colors no matter the opacity and fill with white, then invert and feather the inverted selection 2 pixels to keep a soft edge before filling with black twice. This method will not lift a water drop or glass item from a black background but it will let you mask out a solid object that is flattened to a black background nicely, usually. It’s a lot more work than it should be though.
BTW, I just bought the full version after doodling with the demo version off and on during the time Zbrush was evolving to what it is now. I am fond of shiny colorful doodads so that is what attracted me to the demo.
