importing pictures with alpha channels

[Mauser]

Is there any way to import pictures or any other objects and retain the alpha channels that the picture already has? I'm trying to import a picture which acts as shadow to overlay over a level, and I find the transparency on the drawing tools in MMF far too cumbersome to work with
Thanks,

[Yves]

Quick: drag & drop a PNG image to the frame editor and choose the object you want to create.

Slower, but more options: click the Import button in the picture/animation editor.

[Shawn]

Quick: drag & drop a PNG image to the frame editor and choose the object you want to create.

I didn't even know you could do that lol. Learn something new every day I guess.

[Mauser]

Thanks for the quick response, while both of those work for full transparency it doesn't import any partial transparencies (translucencies?), they show up as various shades of opaque grey

[Shawn]

Really? I've made images with 25% opacity in Photoshop and the png's imported just fine.

[Mauser]

Oh Ok, perhaps it's the way I'm saving the files then. It does have variable transparencies I don't know if that would make a difference. Basically I start with a transparent canvas, go over the whole thing with black and then use the eraser tool (with hardness set to about 25 and opacity to about 50) and rub out areas that would be lit up so you get a sort of gradiented darkness

[Shawn]

I use layers in photoshop and adjust the transparency of the layer. Not sure what program you are using, but it should work the same in GIMP as well.

[Mauser]

yeah sorry forgot to mention that, the black is on a separate layer to the transparency. Using paint Shop Pro.

Edit:
I've tried it again and still can't get it to work. Is there a specific object type I should be using or a specific effect?

[Danny]

Mauser, what type of PNG are you exporting? I export PNG 32 and everything works fine including Transparency levels and that includes from Fireworks.

[Mauser]

Uhh pass. Whatever PSP defaults to saving it as. Sorry whatever form of PNG it defaults to I mean.