Create transparent forground image of wife for overlay into avi or mp4 video

http://www.screencast.com/t/CdVnCpXd Please watch my screencast that will explain my delima I need a step by step for dummies as I just downloaded after effects and got part of the way but now stumpped

This question is asked all the time. I'ts answered in the FAQ and in several tutorials and several columns. Unless you are specifically going to go to Flash you should not use EXPORT ever for anything. Add your composition to the Render Cue and then adjust the output module settings to render to a format that supports alpha channels, set the color to RGB + Alpha and matted to Straight. Render and you'll get a movie that has an alpha channel if you picked a format that supports alpha transparency.
To give you more specific instructions you should tell us what you plan to do with the video. I have no idea and it could be anything. There are dozens if not hundreds of options here so please let us know what you want to do with the video and what the end product will be.

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I need to create an APP that runs on an Android Tablet to play mp4 video stored on the SDCARD. I ha

I need to create an APP that runs on an Android Tablet to play mp4 video stored on the SDCARD. I have tried using VideoPlayer and passing NULL to the Connect() method, but while this will play a video from a shockwave SWF it will not play it as an APP from a .apk file.

There are several apps in the App Store. Look at them to see what might meet your needs. There is a keynote app that might be best for you.

Best app for viewing pptx with embedded mp4 videos?

Hello,
I have some large powerpoint presentations (25-500MB) that have some embedded videos in that I would like to view on my iPad3.
The powerpoints are in .pptx format (MS Office 2010) and the videos are in .mp4 format.
Can anyone suggest any apps that can open and view this type of file combination? (large, .pptx, .mp4)
Thanks

Well, if they are important photos i would recommend getting a real camera, the best you can afford. The iPhone camera is good for a cell phone camera, but can't match even simple point and shoot cameras. There are several reasons:
-The lens is too small
-The image sensor is too small
-No optical zoom (digital zoom is a fraud; all it does is crop when you take the picture, rather than after)
-The flash is too weak for more than about 5 feet
-No white balance tuning
-No image management
All of these features are resolved in pocket sized cameras from Canon, Nikon, etc. But again, if the pictures are really important to you and quality matters, get an SLR with optical quality lenses.

Faster exports for BluRay: Use .avi or mp4?

Hello,
I have digitized about 20 movies to .avi files. In total, the are about 300GB. My goal is to use Premier to create a movie with these files and to insert chapter markers to separate them. Next, export the movie to Encore to build an H265 BluRay disk with the chapters. I've found that the rendering time is off the charts... Would it be better for me to convert the .AVI files to .MP4 and use them in the movie? My thought is that the compressed format will reduce the time it takes to export to Encore and for Encore to build the BluRay disk. If this idea is a good one, will there be much loss in quality? I am using Adobe Cloud versions of the applications...
Thank you for your time and advice,
Mike

>digitized about 20 movies to .avi files
How, and exactly what is inside your avi files?
Report back with the codec details of your file, use the programs below... A screen shot works well to SHOW people what you are doing
http://forums.adobe.com/thread/592070?tstart=30 for screen shot instructions
Free programs to get file information for PC/Mac http://mediaarea.net/en/MediaInfo/Download

Illustrator script to create symbols from images in folder

Time to give back to the community...
Here is a script I recently devised to bulk create symbols from images in a folder. Tested with Illustrator CC 2014.
// Import Folder's Files as Symbols - Illustrator CC script
// Description: Creates symbols from images in the designated folder into current document
// Author     : Oscar Rines (oscarrines (at) gmail.com)
// Version    : 1.0.0 on 2014-09-21
// Reused code from "Import Folder's Files as Layers - Illustrator CS3 script"
// by Nathaniel V. KELSO ([email protected])
#target illustrator
function getFolder() {
return Folder.selectDialog('Please select the folder to be imported:', Folder('~'));
function symbolExists(seekInDoc, seekSymbol) {
    for (var j=0; j < seekInDoc.symbols.length; j++) {
        if (seekInDoc.symbols[j].name == seekSymbol) {
            return true;
    return false;
function importFolderContents(selectedFolder) {
    var activeDoc = app.activeDocument;     //Active object reference
// if a folder was selected continue with action, otherwise quit
if (selectedFolder) {
        var newsymbol;              //Symbol object reference
        var placedart;              //PlacedItem object reference
        var fname;                  //File name
        var sname;                  //Symbol name
        var symbolcount = 0;        //Number of symbols added
        var templayer = activeDoc.layers.add(); //Create a new temporary layer
        templayer.name = "Temporary layer"
        var imageList = selectedFolder.getFiles(); //retrieve files in the folder
        // Create a palette-type window (a modeless or floating dialog),
        var win = new Window("palette", "SnpCreateProgressBar", {x:100, y:100, width:750, height:310});
        win.pnl = win.add("panel", [10, 10, 740, 255], "Progress"); //add a panel to contain the components
        win.pnl.currentTaskLabel = win.pnl.add("statictext", [10, 18, 620, 33], "Examining: -"); //label indicating current file being examined
        win.pnl.progBarLabel = win.pnl.add("statictext", [620, 18, 720, 33], "0/0"); //progress bar label
        win.pnl.progBarLabel.justify = 'right';
        win.pnl.progBar = win.pnl.add("progressbar", [10, 35, 720, 60], 0, imageList.length-1); //progress bar
        win.pnl.symbolCount = win.pnl.add("statictext", [10, 70, 710, 85], "Symbols added: 0"); //label indicating number of symbols created
        win.pnl.symbolLabel = win.pnl.add("statictext", [10, 85, 710, 100], "Last added symbol: -"); //label indicating name of the symbol created
        win.pnl.errorListLabel = win.pnl.add("statictext", [10, 110, 720, 125], "Error log:"); //progress bar label
        win.pnl.errorList = win.pnl.add ("edittext", [10, 125, 720, 225], "", {multiline: true, scrolling: true}); //errorlist
        //win.pnl.errorList.graphics.font = ScriptUI.newFont ("Arial", "REGULAR", 7);
        //win.pnl.errorList.graphics.foregroundColor = win.pnl.errorList.graphics.newPen(ScriptUIGraphics.PenType.SOLID_COLOR, [1, 0, 0, 1], 1);
        win.doneButton = win.add("button", [640, 265, 740, 295], "OK"); //button to dispose the panel
        win.doneButton.onClick = function () //define behavior for the "Done" button
            win.close();
        win.center();
        win.show();
        //Iterate images
        for (var i = 0; i < imageList.length; i++) {
            win.pnl.currentTaskLabel.text = 'Examining: ' + imageList[i].name; //update current file indicator
            win.pnl.progBarLabel.text = i+1 + '/' + imageList.length; //update file count
            win.pnl.progBar.value = i+1; //update progress bar
            if (imageList[i] instanceof File) {
                fname = imageList[i].name.toLowerCase(); //convert file name to lowercase to check for supported formats
                if( (fname.indexOf('.eps') == -1) &&
                    (fname.indexOf('.png') == -1)) {
                    win.pnl.errorList.text += 'Skipping ' + imageList[i].name + '. Not a supported type.\r'; //log error
                    continue; // skip unsupported formats
                else {
                    sname = imageList[i].name.substring(0, imageList[i].name.lastIndexOf(".") ); //discard file extension
                    // Check for duplicate symbol name;
                    if (symbolExists(activeDoc, sname)) {
                        win.pnl.errorList.text += 'Skipping ' + imageList[i].name + '. Duplicate symbol for name: ' + sname + '\r'; //log error
                    else {
                        placedart = activeDoc.placedItems.add(); //get a reference to a new placedItem object
                        placedart.file = imageList[i]; //link the object to the image on disk
                        placedart.name = sname; //give the placed item a name
                        placedart.embed();   //make this a RasterItem
                        placedart = activeDoc.rasterItems.getByName(sname); //get a reference to the newly created raster item
                        newsymbol = activeDoc.symbols.add(placedart); //add the raster item to the symbols
                        newsymbol.name = sname; //name the symbol
                        symbolcount++; //update the count of symbols created
                        placedart.remove(); //remove the raster item from the canvas
                        win.pnl.symbolCount.text = 'Symbols added: ' + symbolcount; //update created number of symbols indicator
                        win.pnl.symbolLabel.text = 'Last added symbol: ' + sname; //update created symbol indicator
            else {
                win.pnl.errorList.text += 'Skipping ' + imageList[i].name + '. Not a regular file.\r'; //log error
            win.update(); //required so pop-up window content updates are shown
        win.pnl.currentTaskLabel.text = ''; //clear current file indicator
        // Final verdict
        if (symbolcount >0) {
            win.pnl.symbolLabel.text = 'Symbol library changed. Do not forget to save your work';
        else {
            win.pnl.symbolLabel.text = 'No new symbols added to the library';
        win.update(); //update window contents
        templayer.remove(); //remove the temporary layer
    else {
        alert("Action cancelled by user");
if ( app.documents.length > 0 ) {
    importFolderContents( getFolder() );
else{
    Window.alert("You must open at least one document.");

Thank you, nice job & I am looking forward to trying it out!

After having created a disk image how to burn it?

After having created a disk image (selecting HD for Output Device) in Compressor I get some files:
1. ac3 and m2V files
2. .img file
3. PAR folder
I guess the file I need to burn is the .img one. How can I burn it directly on a DVD? On Compressor itself?
At this point can I get rid of ac3, m2V and PAR files?

Insert a disk into your optical drive.
Drag the img icon to the bottom of the left pane in DU. Select it.
Click on the burn icon in the menu toolbar.
Depending on your OS version, your burn speed options may be different than they are here. FWIW I usually choose 2X.
Good luck.
Russ

Creating transparent shapes in traced images

Ok so I am just starting out with Illustrator and until I know how to make vectors from scratch I've been making due with the 'Image Trace' option for my logos. I do run into a problem though. If something within the image needs to be cut out to show as a transparency, just deleting the vector shape the Trace created wont give me that. The black lines I use to border my image ends up turning into a whole background shape in itself, so whatever black I delete, all the connecting black gets deleted as well. I want to know a way I can select, for instance, inside the lettering of the image below and cut out a shape to match the border around the rest of the lettering. I hope I'm making sense! I don't know any technical terms yet...The solution is probably obvious but I'm lost none-the-less. This would be a big help!

residualhaunt,
To continue:
until I know how to make vectors from scratch I've been making due with the 'Image Trace' option for my logos
You may still start by drawing things by hand, or just use something you have drawn already, and use that as a template.
You may then scan the hand drawn artwork and place it on its own layer, locked, then recreate it (on top) by using the Pen Tool or other tools for special shapes (such as Rectangle/square, Ellipse/circle, Star, Polygon, Spiral, whatever), and you may use the Type Tool to create the text if you have the right fonts; you may edit while drawing with the tools, and you may edit/adjust afterwards.
One way of editing underway when using the Pen Tool is to use the Spacebar: when you Click or ClickDrag (for curved path segments) and wish to adjust the position of the Anchor Point you have just made, you may Hold the Spacebar and move about (ClickHolding) until you are satisfied; if it has Handles, the Handles are freezed as long as you Hold the Spacebar. You can switch freely between adjusting the Anchor Point and adjusting the Handles by Holding/non Holding the Spacebar as many times as you like, then go on to the next Anchor Point.
You can adjust Anchor Point positions and Handles afterwards by ClickDragging with the Direct Selection Tool (after deselecting the object if needed); you may Click the Anchor Point or an adjacent path segment to have the Anchor Point and Handles shown.
You may also start working without a template.
Unless you are after a hand drawn appearance, the Pen Tool gives more accurate and clean artwork than do the Pencil and Paintbrush Tools.
To practise with the Pen Tool, in order to get the insight into its working, you may trace anything: (serif) letters, circles, ellipses, (rounded) rectangles, images.
One thing to remember is that fewer Anchor Points (with the right Handles) give smoother shapes.

Create transparency image from shape

Hi,
I'd like to create the application that create the transparency image from drawing data. the code is as follows.
BufferedImage img = new BufferedImage(350,350,BufferedImage.TYPE_INT_RGB);
Graphics2D g2 = img.createGraphics();
GeneralPath gp = new GeneralPath(GeneralPath.WIND_NON_ZERO);
gp.moveTo(100,100);     gp.lineTo(100,200);
gp.lineTo(200,200);     gp.lineTo(200,100); gp.closePath();
g2.setPaint(Color.yellow);
g2.fill(gp);
g2.setStroke(new BasicStroke(2));
g2.setPaint(Color.red);
g2.draw(gp);
File outFile = new File("outimg.png");
ImageIO.write(img,"png",outFile);
I can create the image from such code, but the image is not transparent since the background is all black. What additional coding I need to make it transparent?
Thanks,
Sanphet

1. use a PixelGrabber to convert the image into a pixel array
2. (assuming pixel array called pixelArray) :
if (pixelArray[loopCounter] == 0xFFFFFFFF) { //assuming the black your seeing is not a fully transparent surface
    pixelArray[loopCounter] = pixelArray[loopCounter] & 0x00FFFFFF; //sets alpha channel for all black area to 0, thus making it fully transparent
}3. recreate an Image using MemoryImageSource
I'm sure there is a quicker solution using some built in java functions...but hey, I dont' know it!! :)
Here's a sample class that utilizes these techniques:
* To start the process, click on the window
* Restriction (next version upgrade) :
*     - firstImage must be larger
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import java.awt.image.*;
import javax.swing.*;
public class AdditiveBlendingTest extends javax.swing.JFrame implements MouseListener, ActionListener, WindowListener {
    static final int ALPHA = 0xFF000000; // alpha mask
    static final int MASK7Bit = 0xFEFEFF; // mask for additive/subtractive shading
    static final int ZERO_ALPHA = 0x00FFFFFF; //zero's alpha channel, i.e. fully transparent
    private Image firstImage, secondImage, finalImage; //2 loades image + painted blended image
    private int firstImageWidth, firstImageHeight, secondImageWidth, secondImageHeight;
    private int xInsets, yInsets; //insets of JFrame
    //cliping area of drawing, and size of JFrame
    private int clipX = 400;
    private int clipY = 400;
    //arrays representing 2 loades image + painted blended image
    private int[] firstImageArray;
    private int [] secondImageArray;
    private int [] finalImageArray;
    //system timer, used to cause repaints
    private Timer mainTimer;
    //used for double buffering and drawing the components
    private Graphics imageGraphicalSurface;
    private Image doubleBufferImage;
    public AdditiveBlendingTest() {
        firstImage = Toolkit.getDefaultToolkit().getImage("Image1.jpg");
        secondImage = Toolkit.getDefaultToolkit().getImage("Image2.gif");
     //used to load image, MediaTracker process will not complete till the image is fully loaded
        MediaTracker tracker = new MediaTracker(this);
        tracker.addImage(firstImage,1);
     try {
         if(!tracker.waitForID(1,10000)) {
          System.out.println("Image1.jpg Load error");
          System.exit(1);
     } catch (InterruptedException e) {
         System.out.println(e);
     tracker = new MediaTracker(this);
     tracker.addImage(secondImage,1);
     try {
         if(!tracker.waitForID(1,10000)) {
          System.out.println("Image2.gif Load error");
          System.exit(1);
     } catch (InterruptedException e) {
         System.out.println(e);
     //calculate dimensions
     secondImageWidth = secondImage.getWidth(this);
     secondImageHeight = secondImage.getHeight(this);
     firstImageWidth = firstImage.getWidth(this);
     firstImageHeight = firstImage.getHeight(this);
     //creates image arrays
     firstImageArray = new int[firstImageWidth * firstImageHeight];
        secondImageArray = new int[secondImageWidth * secondImageHeight];
     //embeded if statements will be fully implemented in next version
     finalImageArray = new int[((secondImageWidth >= firstImageWidth) ? secondImageWidth : firstImageWidth) *
             ((secondImageHeight >= firstImageHeight) ? secondImageHeight : firstImageHeight)];
     //PixelGrabber is used to created an integer array from an image, the values of each element of the array
     //represent an individual pixel. FORMAT = 0xFFFFFFFF, with the channels (FROM MSB) Alpha, Red, Green, Blue
     //each taking up 8 bits (i.e. 256 possible values for each)
     try {
         PixelGrabber pgObj = new PixelGrabber(firstImage,0,0,firstImageWidth,firstImageHeight,firstImageArray,0,firstImageWidth);
         if(pgObj.grabPixels() && ((pgObj.getStatus() & ImageObserver.ALLBITS) != 0)){
     } catch (InterruptedException e) {
         System.out.println(e);
     try {
         PixelGrabber pgObj = new PixelGrabber(secondImage,0,0,secondImageWidth,secondImageHeight,secondImageArray,0,secondImageWidth);
         if (pgObj.grabPixels() && ((pgObj.getStatus() & ImageObserver.ALLBITS) !=0)) {
     } catch (InterruptedException e) {
         System.out.println(e);
     //adds the first images' values to the final painted image. This is the only time the first image is involved
     //with the blend
     for(int cnt = 0,large = 0; cnt < (secondImageWidth*secondImageHeight);cnt++, large++){
         if (cnt % 300 == 0 && cnt !=0){
          large += (firstImageWidth - secondImageWidth);
         finalImageArray[cnt] = AdditiveBlendingTest.ALPHA + (AdditiveBlendingTest.ZERO_ALPHA & firstImageArray[large]) ;
     //final initializing
     this.setSize(clipX,clipY);
     this.enable();
     this.setVisible(true);
     yInsets = this.getInsets().top;
     xInsets = this.getInsets().left;
     this.addMouseListener(this);
     this.addWindowListener(this);
     doubleBufferImage = createImage(firstImageWidth,firstImageHeight);
     imageGraphicalSurface = doubleBufferImage.getGraphics();
    public void mouseEntered(MouseEvent e) {}
    public void mouseExited(MouseEvent e) {}
    public void mousePressed(MouseEvent e) {}
    public void mouseReleased(MouseEvent e) {}
    public void windowActivated (WindowEvent e) {}
    public void windowDeiconified (WindowEvent e) {}
    public void windowIconified (WindowEvent e) {}
    public void windowDeactivated (WindowEvent e) {}
    public void windowOpened (WindowEvent e) {}
    public void windowClosed (WindowEvent e) {}
    //when "x" in right hand corner clicked
    public void windowClosing(WindowEvent e) {
     System.exit(0);
    //used to progress the animation sequence (fires every 50 ms)
    public void actionPerformed (ActionEvent e ) {
     blend();
     repaint();
    //begins animation process and set's up timer to continue
    public void mouseClicked(MouseEvent e) {
     blend();
     mainTimer = new Timer(50,this);
     mainTimer.start();
     repaint();
     * workhorse of application, does the additive blending
    private void blend () {
     int pixel;
     int overflow;
     for (int cnt = 0,large = 0; cnt < (secondImageWidth*secondImageHeight);cnt++, large++) {
         if (cnt % 300 == 0 && cnt !=0){
          large += (firstImageWidth - secondImageWidth);
         //algorithm for blending was created by another user, will give reference when I find
         pixel = ( secondImageArray[cnt] & MASK7Bit ) + ( finalImageArray[cnt] & MASK7Bit );
         overflow = pixel & 0x1010100;
         overflow -= overflow >> 8;
         finalImageArray[cnt] = AdditiveBlendingTest.ALPHA|overflow|pixel ;
     //creates Image to be drawn to the screen
     finalImage = createImage(new MemoryImageSource(secondImageWidth, secondImageHeight, finalImageArray,
          0, secondImageWidth));
    //update overidden to eliminate the clearscreen call. Speeds up overall paint process
    public void update(Graphics g) {
     paint(imageGraphicalSurface);
     g.drawImage(doubleBufferImage,xInsets,yInsets,this);
     g.dispose();
    //only begins painting blended image after it is created (to prevent NullPointer)
    public void paint(Graphics g) {
     if (finalImage == null){
         //setClip call not required, just added to facilitate future changes
         g.setClip(0,0,clipX,clipY);
         g.drawImage(firstImage,0,0,this);
         g.drawImage(secondImage,0,0,this);
     } else {
         g.setClip(0,0,clipX,clipY);
         g.drawImage(finalImage,0,0,this);
    public static void main( String[] args ) {
     AdditiveBlendingTest additiveAnimation = new AdditiveBlendingTest();
     additiveAnimation.setVisible(true);
     additiveAnimation.repaint();

How to create a background image for each item in a List object

Hello.
I am trying to create a background image that displays whenever a user posts something to a list. For example when a user posts text it would appear in a list. The new item in the list would contain a specific background image with the users text appearing on top of the background image. I do not want a background image for the entire list, rather each item within the list.
I am not sure how clear this is so I added an image below. When a user enters text in and clicks the "post-it" button their text would appear below with the sticky note background.
I am not sure which list type would be best for this problem or how to create insert the image, so I am open to suggestions.
Thank you for your help. Any advice or guidance will be greatly appreciated!

Hi
the easiest way would be with itemRenderer.
You have to do two things:
1. In your list declaration use a item renderer: <mx:List itemRenderer="myRenderer"/>
2. create a flex component myRenderer that will be the single item. This can be a canvas with a background image and a text field on it.
When you add a new item to the list, a new myRenderer item will be created and the data property will be passed to it. So you have to put "data" in your textField.
If you need more help try looking at Tour de Flex samples, they're pretty easy.
Andrei

How do I create a disk image for windows 7, using a windows computer for USB bootcamp for mac?

Hi There, I have just bought a new 2013 iMac.
Spec: 3.4 GHz intel core i5, 16GB 1600 MHz DDR3 Memory , NVIDIA GeForce GTX 775M 2048 MB Graphics with OS X 10.9.4.
How can I create a 'disk image' from a windows 7 professional 64bit installation DVD using a windows laptop with windows 7 Operating system on? I want to transfer this 'disk image' (ISO?) to a USB ready for installing windows onto my 2013 iMac using bootcamp? I want to use bootcamp from a USB as I have no disk drive for the installation DVD on my iMac. I hope all this is clear.
Thank you. Joe

Yes, that's correct, at least not directly. You can create a blank disk image, copy the file to the mounted disk image, then burn the image to a CD/DVD.
Open Disk Utility and select Blank Disk Image from the New menu. Provide a name, Save location, and select the image size from the drop down menu. Leave Encryptions at None and Format as read/write. Click on the Create button.
After the image file appears the "removable" disk should be automatically mounted. If not double-click on it to mount it. A "removable" disk icon will appear. Drag the file you want to place on the disk image to the "removable" disk icon. The eject the "removable" disk icon. Now select the disk image file in the DU left side list and click on the Burn icon in the DU toolbar. Be sure to have a blank disc ready.
The above is actually the "long" way to do this. A much easier way is to simply insert a blank CD or DVD into the optical drive. The Finder will pop up a dialog asking what to do. Select the option to mount on the Desktop. You will now see a disc icon on the Desktop. Drag the file you want to burn to the CD/DVD, right-click or CTRL-click on the disc icon and select Burn from the contextual menu.
Why reward points?(Quoted from Discussions Terms of Use.)
The reward system helps to increase community participation. When a community member gives you (or another member) a reward for providing helpful advice or a solution to their question, your accumulated points will increase your status level within the community.
Members may reward you with 5 points if they deem that your reply is helpful and 10 points if you post a solution to their issue. Likewise, when you mark a reply as Helpful or Solved in your own created topic, you will be awarding the respondent with the same point values.

I bought iPhone 4 for my wife, didn't create a separate apple ID account for her at that time. How can I now create a new one for her, sync her phone to the same PC that I sync my iPhone with without loosing all of her data, contacts, etc. Please help!

I bought iPhone 4 for my wife, didn't create a separate apple ID account for her at that time. How can I now create a new one for her, sync her phone to the same PC that I sync my iPhone with without loosing all of her data, contacts, etc. Please help!

I bought iPhone 4 for my wife, didn't create a separate apple ID account for her at that time. How can I now create a new one for her, sync her phone to the same PC that I sync my iPhone with without loosing all of her data, contacts, etc. Please help!

Is there a way to create a TINY image for B2G, similar to TINY_ANDROID ?

Hi, is there a way to create a TINY image from Firefox OS similar to that of TINY ANDROID image which is used for Kernel Development. Android gives an option to create with the flag BUILD_TINY_ANDROID, just wanted to know if there is anything similar in Firefox OS.
If there is no support from B2G, can we still create one?
Any suggestions would be very helpful.
Thanks

I'm not sure that anybody here would know the answer to this. I'd suggest asking in #b2g on irc.mozilla.org. In case you don't have an IRC client, here's a web-based one: https://kiwiirc.com/client/irc.mozilla.org/#b2g . A lot of the b2g developers tend to hang out in there, and if anybody knows, they would.

How to create transparent image at run-time?

How to create transparent image at run-time? I mean I want to create a (new) transparent image1, then show other (loaded) transparent image2 to image1, then show image1 to a DC. The problem is - image1 has non-transparent background...

i'm not sure, but you can set the alpha value to 0 in all pixels which are 'in' the background..
greetz
chris

Unable to create a 'computer image' for system recovery purposes using an external drive!

Just finished another very frustrating long session with HP Tech Support without a resolution to a simple problem.
This laptop is only 4 months old, but the hard drive is failing, according to constant notifications, and repeated BIOS hard drive diagnostic tests.
I wanted to be sure that all back-up/system restore precautions were taken. Not much to 'back-up' because the laptop is new. The standard 'back-up' was easily done on a 4 GB flash drive.
I followed instructions for 'create a system image' in order to make a 'copy of the drives required to restore your computer if your hard drive or computer ever stops working' (instructions right on the page).
I wanted to create this 'system image' on an external flash drive. First attempt at storing a system image failed because: 'the drive is not formatted with NTSF. The G flash drive was easily formatted to NTSF. Repeated attempts at copying now failed because: 'the drive is not a valid back-up location' (!?).
I see absolutely no clear reason why a 'computer image' cannot be created on a flash drive that has been correctly formatted.
HP Tech Support claims that the reason for this is a 'Windows incompatibility with the program' (used to create a 'system image?).
No solution was given. According to HP Tech Support, this is now a 'Windows software problem', which doesn't make any sense to me.
Standard CD-R data disks (the only ones I have on hand now) are not big enough: 700 MB capacity, but a DVD-R data disk, which has 4.7 GB capacity, may not be enough (especially in the future) for the creation of a 'system image'.
Since HP Tech Support is incapable of solving a straightforward problem like this, I am asking for some more experience tech geek to bring me up to speed on this whole issue of 'system image' creation, for the purpose of computer restoration, as I am hesitant to go ahead and remove the hard drive, if I haven't properly done everything to 'back-up' as much as I can.

Again: HP Tech Support cannot answer this question for me.
I posted the above problem onto the Windows Recovery forum also.
There are super-experienced people that view these questions. (I meant the term 'geek' in an appreciative way: without users solving problems, everything would grind to a halt!).
Please, if there is anyone who can comment on this, whether the whole issue of 'system image' is redundant, whether it is necessary at all, I would be grateful for a stab at this.
I have the sense that the answer is staring me right in the face, yet even HP Tech Support has no idea what it is.

Creating a disk image for software installation

Hello all,
I'm having a problem with my iMac not reading my family pack OSX Tiger install DVD... although it worked fine on my other three macs. Someone said that I could "create a mirror image of the DVD to my desktop on another mac and then copy that to an ipod. Then use the ipod to boot up the imac and install Tiger".
Can anyone explain to me how to do that? IE... how to create a mirror image of the DVD so I can try the ipod fix?
Any help would be appreciated.
Matt

Matt, I may have a solution for you.
I was stumped by this and wanted to see if I could figure it out, so I was Googling around and ran into this. It is the very first post and details the process of how someone else used an iPod to install Tiger from DVD to a Mac that did not have a DVD drive.
If this gets deleted, please email me directly at my public address on my profile and I will send you the link again.

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