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Transparent Color

SnagIt Image captures can be used in many different environments: in a Word document, on a Web page, or as part of an art collage, for example. For these purposes, you might want the background of the image to be transparent, so it would fit onto any given canvas.

Note: The Color Depth must be set to 8-bit or less for the Transparent Color option to be available. To change the Color Depth, choose Colors > Color. In the Palette field, choose Identity. Choose OK to accpet the changes.

The lower the color depth, the smaller the file size, but you may notice a loss of quality, depending on the nature of your image. For example, at 32 colors, a standard menu may look fine, but an image with many colors and hues will appear blocky rather than smooth.

Any color that is included in the actual color palette of the captured image can be set to be transparent. For your convenience, SnagIt displays the palette of colors saved along with the capture. Compare and pick the color of the element you want to be transparent by clicking on the color chip in the palette.

For GIF files only, the Transparent Color option can be used to set one color to look transparent. To access the Transparent Color option, choose Colors > Transparent Color and the Transparent Color dialog box displays.

The following table summarizes the description and use of each option in the Transparent Color dialog box.

Note: You can also enable the Transparency On option for a GIF file when you save it. To do this, choose File > Save As. In the Save as type list box, select the GIF image file format, and then choose the Options button. The File Format Options dialog box will open. Place a check mark in the Transparency On box. Choose Set color and the Transparent Color dialog box opens.

Setting a Transparent Color

1. Output a recent capture to the Preview Window or open a saved capture in SnagIt Editor.

2. Make sure it is saved in the format GIF with 256 colors or less. You can verify the color depth of an image under File > Properties.

3. Next, choose Colors > Transparent Color from the menu bar. The Transparent Color dialog box will open. It shows the actual palette saved along with the recent image.
   

4. Check the Transparency On box at the bottom.

5. Click on a color you want to make transparent. The color box indicates the selected color.
   

6. Choose OK.

7. Save the transparent version of the image. Import it into the destination application.

Note: You won't see that a color is transparent in Preview Window or SnagIt Editor. The transparency only displays when the picture is exported and placed in the final application.

Setting a Transparent Color from the Actual Screen Capture

If you want to make a more subtle hue transparent (and want to select it directly from the capture), follow these steps.

1. Output a recent capture to the Preview Window or open a saved capture in SnagIt Editor.

2. Make sure it is saved in the format GIF with 256 colors or less. You can verify the color depth of an image under File > Properties.

3. Choose the eyedropper button from the Tools pane.
   

4. Using the eyedropper, point to the color you wish to make transparent. The tooltip will display the RBG values for the color. Write these numbers down.

5. Choose Colors > Transparent Color. The Transparent Color dialog box displays. Click on palette chips that look close to the one you are looking for. Compare the RGB values to the ones you've written down. When you find the closest match, select it from the palette.

6. Choose OK.

7. Save the transparent version of the image. Import it into the destination application.

Note: You won't see that a color is transparent in Preview Window or SnagIt Editor. The transparency only displays when the picture is exported and placed in the final application.

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