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Color modes

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» 3. 32-bit RGB (Transparent)

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.

Without transparency
Figure 2  Without transparency
© Creative commons
With transparency
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.

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