When I use GIMP 2.4.6 how do I convert my picture to alpha?

Question

If I try to use alpha to logo filters they don't work on the picture that I'm trying to change. I go to layers and tell it to add an alpha channel. If you know what I'm doing wrong please let me know!

Answer 1

First, you need to make sure that your image has an alpha channel. You've already apparently done this, but for everybody else: Open the right-click menu and select Layer -> Transparency -> Add Alpha Channel. You may already have an alpha channel, in which case you will not be able to select this option.

You also need to make sure that the image mode is RGB (and not indexed). To do that, open the right-click menu and select Image -> Mode -> RGB.

Next, you need to edit the image so that the alpha channel shows only the portion that you want to form the logo. Essentially, you're going to use whatever tools you need in order to clear, erase, and delete everything except the logo. You should see the portion you want to logoize, and everything else should be transparent (by default, represented by a gray checkerboard).

The "alpha to logo" filters also need some room around the image, so if your logo goes right to the edge, you'll want to increase the canvas size a bit.

After that, you should be set up to run the "alpha to logo" filter.