Color modes

32-bit RGB

A few image formats support the 32-bit RGB mode. This mode uses the regular 24 bits for the three primary colors plus 8 bits for the transparency channel.

This transparency channel (also known as alpha channel) allows the image to be superimposed over another image or background color displaying advanced transparency effects. Take a look at the figures bellow.

Figure 2  Without transparency © Creative commons

Figure 3  With transparency © Creative commons

In both figures we have the same cloudy background. Figure 2 has the Dices image without transparency; Figure 3 has the Dices image with transparency. Which one do you like the most?

PNG is the only web-compliant format that supports the 32-bit RGB mode.

More pages of this tutorial → Color modes  <1234>

Comments & Questions

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Tue, Jul 13 '10 by Jai

Really a good explanation, Please keep posting more on graphics and designs.

Mon, Nov 16 '09 by HarryPlotter

this is a very good explanation

Tue, May 19 '09 by planchador

I love clear tutorials like this one. Keep posting!

Sun, May 10 '09 by Anonymous

Very gooooooood

Sun, May 10 '09 by nachito

Thank you, very good explanation! I look forward for more :D

Sun, May 10 '09 by ebodius

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