
Alpha Channels | 563
Alpha Channels
Alpha channels, also referred to simply as channels, let you store and edit path-based and pixel-based
selections in an active document. Corel Painter stores only the current selection by default, therefore, when
you make a new selection, your previous selection is automatically lost. However, by saving the selection as
an alpha channel, you can retain the selection information and load it in the image whenever you need it.
The alpha channel is a grayscale image that stores 8 bits of information per pixel, which means that
each pixel can be assigned one of 256 levels of gray — from 0 (black) to 255 (white). White areas of the
channel are selected, and black areas of the channel are protected. Intermediate levels of gray are partially
protected. For example, areas that are 50% gray will allow 50% of the brushstroke or effect to get through
the channel to the image.
This section contains the following topics:
• “Creating and copying channels” (page 564)
• “Generating channels automatically” (page 565)
• “Importing and exporting alpha channels” (page 567)
• “Selecting and viewing channels” (page 567)
• “Setting channel attributes” (page 570)
• “Deleting and clearing channels” (page 571)
• “Editing channels” (page 571)
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