Importing graphics without alpha

[netninja]

I'd like to know how MMF chooses whether or not to use alpha-channel transparency when importing a graphic into an Active object using the "Load Frame" action at runtime.

Since Alpha Channels use up much more memory than using only one transparent colour, it would be preferable for MMF2 to use transparent colour for some of my loaded graphics, however they are in PNG format and I can't tell how MMF2 is importing them.

Does anyone know if it's possible to force transparent colour instead of alpha channels for loaded frames at runtime? Would using a GIF instead of a PNG guarantee this?

Thanks

[netninja]

It seems if I use a GIF it does use less memory at runtime, so I assume that's because it's not using alpha. Filesize differs by about 100kb, yet in game memory differs by up to 5mb depending on how much of the image is on screen (tested this using a large image).

I'm concluding that it will be worth converting all my PNGs to GIFs. Anyone else got any feedback?

[Pineapple]

I would think that a lot of the memory savings have to do with the fact that .gif is 256 colors. Perhaps you should try exporting your .png's with 256 colors to see if you get the same memory savings.

[netninja]

Just tested using a PNG with 128 colours. The GIF with 256 colours used less memory at runtime. Original PNG still used the most.

[dsilvers]

I think Fusion defaults to loading an alpha channel on imported images. I would recommend going ahead and saving them out as GIF's, otherwise you will have to go through each individual frame in the graphic editor and change the transparency mode from alpha channel to color.