Alpha Channel self-darkens after saving/running in sim.... porque??

[Foxtrot789]

The basics: FSX Acceleration, Windows XP

Using DTXBmp and Paint.net, i've been repainting various texture for quite some time. lately i've noticed there have been instances when I try a new texture, it's absurdly reflective and the alpha channel is now CONSIDERABLY darker then what I had saved just minutes ago.

I'm saving in Extended BMP format 32bit 888-8 primarily to eliminate any quality degradation since i'm always making slight adjustments to most textures. (Haven't tried saving in DDS because most files are bmp and problem free as well.)

This problem doesn't happen every time so I'm thinking there's something within the settings of either Paint.net or DXTBmp that i'm unable to pin-point.

This is what happens to an alpha channel that's been adjusted, it was a rather faint grey before, you can see the heart of the texture is almost pure black.

Thanks!

[garryrussell]

If it was a feint grey before it looks almost more like the Alpha has reversed rather than darkened..meaning 20 percent black 80 white becomes 20 white 80 black

There is an option in Alpha on the top bar to invert it, perhaps some how that's getting activated.

If it comes in dark as seen in the side view try inverting it and see what that does.

[Foxtrot789]

I know there is an option to invert it, but this is happening AFTER i've saved and closed DXTBmp. You are right though... If I invert it it's pretty darn close to how I had it, and how I want it... and how I need it - but What is inverting it (or heavily adjusting it,) is the question.

Majority of time I don't touch the alpha channel, and I notice it perform this behavior with texture files that might be new or 'freshly made' if you will. I [think] it happens often if I opt to "create alpha template", make the changes, refresh the alpha and then save it of course. But while the alpha WILL appear correctly in the top right thumbnail/preview, once it hits the sim it's back to shine city.

[garryrussell]

Inverting is simply making it a negative...all that dark becomes light...or vice verso. It has nothing to do with heavy adjusting

You should touch the alpha channel because they should be specific for the paint and contain cut outs etc for that paint.

Each paint should really have it's own alpha.

Just about every instance I've personally come across with alphas darkening has been where the painter has used a pre existing alpha.

I don't know what the tie in is, or if there is one, but I have done more than a thousand paints make new alphas and never had this happen to me.

[Foxtrot789]

Inverting is simply making it a negative...all that dark becomes light...or vice verso. It has nothing to do with heavy adjusting

You should touch the alpha channel because they should be specific for the paint and contain cut outs etc for that paint.

Each paint should really have it's own alpha.

Just about every instance I've personally come across with alphas darkening has been where the painter has used a pre existing alpha.

I don't know what the tie in is, or if there is one, but I have done more than a thousand paints make new alphas and never had this happen to me.

I TRY to have all my paints have their own alpha, hence the reason for this post. It seems when I create a (new) alpha template it will save fine but sometimes when I go back into DXTBmp the alpha will occasionally turn VERY dark. I understand what 'inverting' is, and does.

Yet, regardless, you said "Just about every instance I've personally come across with alphas darkening has been where the painter has used a pre existing alpha." So, even then, why does it self-darken? Regardless of the alpha's origin.

[Foxtrot789]

I've just done a quick test and my problem seems to happen in both Bmp and DDS formats REGARDLESS of whether or not I created a new alpha from scratch.

If I save in DXT5 rather than 32bit 888-8 the alpha is preserved.