Fuchsia and Transparency

2

[Fuchsia] is also commonly used to indicate transparency.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuchsia_(color)

Does anyone know what this quote means? Why would fuchsia be used to indicate transparency as opposed to a checkered background?

I'm presuming that this is related to computing because of the transparency component (transparent photos don't exist), but if I'm wrong, please feel free to delete this question.

waiwai933

Posted 2010-05-06T03:31:47.293

Reputation: 2 293

Answers

4

In images the colour Fuchsia is used to indicate that a pixel should be transparent when there isn't an alpha component to the pixel. This is because the colour doesn't occur frequently in pictures.

opposed to a checkered background

That type of background is used as a visual aid in graphic design programs, it is not stored in the image itself.

ta.speot.is

Posted 2010-05-06T03:31:47.293

Reputation: 13 727

By any chance, do you have an example of this? – waiwai933 – 2010-05-06T03:37:55.407

No, but if you search for some sprite tutorials (sprites use this technique quite commonly) you should see this. – ta.speot.is – 2010-05-06T04:16:56.503

In GIF files, the "transparent" color is actually stored in the file. Compare this Tweety Bird in your web browser and in Paint: http://www.mywickedspace.com/graphics/glitter/Animals/i53855315_83351.gif

– Bavi_H – 2010-05-07T03:30:37.610

(It's up to the person or program making the GIF file what color is used as the transparent color. Most GIF search results I found used white, black, or gray as the transparent color. But a bright color like magenta or green or cyan might be used to help spot stray transparent pixels.) – Bavi_H – 2010-05-07T03:48:39.150

Asked: 2010-05-06T03:31:47.293

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Active: 2010-05-06T05:00:48.103