Copying and pasting from the Internet

[alano9999]

I have a background layer and I want to paste a transparent image to it. I.E I do a Google image search for ‘trees transparent’ and receive a full page of results. However when I select a result with a checkered background vs an image with a white background. Only the ones with the white background copy and paste correctly. The ones with the initial visible checkered background do not. (Pasted image also includes the background with these). I was wondering why..

[rich2005]

This is something that really annoys me. All those websites that say free-png-something and show images with a "fake" checker background. All about getting a sign-up for your details.

What you might get initially is an image that "depicts" transparency with a checker background. To get a correct image with transparency you jump-through-hoops and with a bit of luck get it. 

Transparency - an alpha mask - does not have to be a chequer pattern, it might show as white or black or checks depending on viewer. Typically a web-browser shows white.

Even Gimp allows you to change it in Edit -> Preferences -> Interface -> Display -> Transparency - Check style. 

I use a light setting as (1) I can take a screenshot of that and displayed it "looks" exactly the same in Gimp (2) and also in a viewer (4) The same viewer will show the correct image with transparency as a checker background (3)

   

Does that make any sense ? Blame the greedy web sites.

[sallyanne]

If you want a transparent image to put on your background, pick any image with a white background then 'alpha to select' making sure it has an alpha channel. You can do this with any colour as long as you pick the colour to become transparent and it is a very diferent colour from your image you want to keep.

[Ofnuts]

(01-26-2024, 06:57 PM)rich2005 Wrote: This is something that really annoys me. All those websites that say free-png-something and show images with a "fake" checker background. All about getting a sign-up for your details.

What you might get initially is an image that "depicts" transparency with a checker background. To get a correct image with transparency you jump-through-hoops and with a bit of luck get it. 

Transparency - an alpha mask - does not have to be a chequer pattern, it might show as white or black or checks depending on viewer. Typically a web-browser shows white.

Even Gimp allows you to change it in Edit -> Preferences -> Interface -> Display -> Transparency - Check style. 

I use a light setting as (1) I can take a screenshot of that and displayed it "looks" exactly the same in Gimp (2) and also in a viewer (4) The same viewer will show the correct image with transparency as a checker background (3)



Does that make any sense ? Blame the greedy web sites.

Another simple method to check for fake transparency is to move the layer with the Move tool. If the checkerboard moves along, it is fake.

[sallyanne]

Probably best not to copy and paste directly from the web as you will be using their (where you get the picture from) bandwith. Always download your pictures to your computer first.

To add on from rich's answer you can make a picture with a white background transparent in gimp by using the colour to alpha filter - found in colour. The default is white. You can do this with other clours as well but best to have a solid colour

   

[alano9999]

Thank you Rich and Sallyanne for your explanations.