annoying white background

[stefangs]

hi all,

when i copy a non-square graphic created in FM or another app to a container field, i always get a hite background, even if the original image has a transparent background. can i somehow keep the transparency?

[bcooney]

I believe the file must be saved in the .png format.

[stefangs]

thanks - i tried that now, but... how can i put a png file on a layout without copy and paste? as an example, i want a triangle. i tried two methods:

1. create a nice 3d triangle in neo office. tried with copy/paste from the original and also from a saved png file.

2. create one within FM using lines of progressively shorter lenths and grouped.

in both cases i get the white background when pasted into the container.

[K1200]

Here's a technique I've been using:

1. Prepare your graphic as a PNG file using some package that allows setting background=transparent.

2. In layout mode, use Insert >> Picture to place the graphic as a static element onto an unused area of one of the layouts.

3. Then (while still in layout mode) grab the graphic by using either a "copy" or "cut" action.

4. Switch to browse mode and "paste" the graphic into the container field.

It seems that once the transparent graphic is inside FileMaker's realm, FileMaker knows how to handle it. I don't remember how I arrived at this technique but I've been using it for 2 years.

Hope this helps.

[stefangs]

woohoo, that's incredible - tricking filemaker. actually, it didn't work, but using your technique, i then tried with a gif and that did it. amazing! thanks a bunch!

[K1200]

Glad the GIFs work for you. You might try creating your PNGs with different software. There are variations in how the transparent layer is defined and some of my early attempts with less-PNG-aware software didn't work either.

[stefangs]

i have neooffice and graphic converter. can't afford photoshop... would be great to use png, because i would not be restricted to the limitations inherent in gif. thanks for your help!