Task 6 How to Create a GIF Transparency

Open File in ImageReady

In ImageReady, choose File, Open. In the Open dialog box, select the file you want to work with and click Open.

Select the Area to Be Transparent

Using any of ImageReady's selection tools (such as the Magic Wand tool to select areas of similar color), make a selection representing the area you want to make transparent.

Apply a Layer Mask

Open the Layers palette by choosing Window, Layers. With the selection from Step 2 still active, press and hold the Option/Alt key and click the Add A Mask button at the bottom of the Layers palette. This action "masks out" the selected area, giving you an idea of what the final result will be.

Build Optimize Settings

When the transparency is the way you want it, choose Window, Optimize to open the Optimize palette. Then specify the appropriate settings. (Refer to Task 4, "How to Build GIF Files for the Web," for instructions on setting up a GIF file.)

Preview in a Browser

Choose File, Preview In, <selected browser> or click the Browser Preview button in the toolbar to look at the file as it will appear in a browser.

Save Optimized File

If the file looks good, close the browser and return to ImageReady. Choose File, Save Optimized to save the file using the settings in the Optimize palette.