Active Object Transparency Problems

I'm having problem drawing using transparency in active objects. If I create a new active object and draw, it works fine. If I import a file into an active object and draw with transparency it turns the non-transparent portion a whitish grey color. If I drag a file into the frame and name it as an active object and draw with transparency, it turns the non-transparent areas black. Also, as mentioned in another post, a transparent active object that works fine on collisions as a PC app, does not work as being transparent in a Flash app. Any help appreciated.
Steve

Fusion's handling of alpha channels is a little wonky. Alpha channels are when a pixel in a PNG file, for example, is only 50% opaque, so you can see what's behind it.

To turn it on and off in the image editor, click on the "alpha" icon (looks like a fish), then switch the radio button between "Transp. Color" (the image will just have an RGB value that means transparent) or "Alpha channel" (the image will have an alpha channel which you can view by checking "Show"). Having an alpha channel definitely makes it difficult to actually edit your image. If you actually do want to use the Alpha Channel, you're better off creating your image in an external tool like Photoshop and reimporting it each time you change it.

Unfortunately, Fusion's importer is set to use Alpha Channel for all PNG files, even if there are no semi-transparent pixels in the image. An easy way to get around this is to just save all your images as BMP and use magic pink (or some other color) as your transparent color.

The reason you're having trouble with collision bounds may be related to this; the Flash exporter might just consider all pixels in a sprite that uses alpha channels. The solution would be to disable alpha channels, or if you need alpha in your sprite, use a separate invisible active as its collision mask.

Yep, it's one of Fusion's sillier behaviours. Unlike every other image-editing software in the universe, when you edit the image channel, the alpha channel doesn't adapt; it stays as it was when you first imported the file. Like Walrus said, just use something like Photoshop for image editing - it'll be better for you in the long run anyway.

I'm not sure what exactly you mean regarding your transparent active object and collisions. Are you using an object with all transparent pixels and hoping that it'll register in collisions anyway? If so, have you tried using an object with non-transparent pixels and just turning it "invisible"? Invisible objects still trigger collisions correctly

But can you get it to work on Dr Nebulas example when it's compiled as flash? I've tried and can't get it working.
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Yes, I've tried all kinds of combinations of your suggestions above, but can't get it to work in Flash. All kinds of strange things happen. When I try to import the BMP image, it refuses to show up. When I turn off the alpha channel, I get all kinds of strange colors and effects. I am making the original graphic in Photoshop by the way. Again, it works find as a PC app, just not in Flash. Very frustrating.

Thanks for all of the help. If anyone has the time to burn, feel free to get the flash version to work from the uploaded files available in the post above.

Steve

I'm not sure why you would be having that problem with a BMP, could you post the file you used?

Attachment 20082Here are the three versions of the graphic that I have tried: png, jpg, and bmp. There were created in Photoshop. The rest of the files are in the Test.zip above.
Thanks,
Steve

I've done some more investigation and it does not seem to have to do with the properties of the graphic. The interaction of the active object with the transparent background only happens if the object is created inside of the transparent area. If it is created outside and moves into the transparent area, that works fine. I'm not sure how to work around what I would think is a bug.
Steve

So, the saga continues. I've created the moving objects outside of the transparent area. I start with them invisible and then make them reappear after they hit an object inside of the transparent area. But now, not matter what I do, I can't get them to interact with the ring when they bounce back out. I've tried checking for the visibility of the bouncing objects and setting a flag when the objects reappear. I'm starting to not like the Flash export object.
Steve

The BMP imported fine for me, so I'm not sure what could be causing your troubles. Are you saying the problem only appears when you export to Flash? The scenario you described in your last post is a bit hard to visualize, maybe you could post an example file?

I can vouch that the bug is only happening when exported to flash. If you can make it work in flash that would be amazing.

this needs to be put in the bug box, no one seems to be able to help get it working.

Fernando worked it out for us, turn on fine detection for active 22 and it'll work even as a .png

Thanks Fernando :)
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