Extracting Alpha from .png file - SBB Digital Scrapbooking Forums | Scrapbook-Bytes

Renee in NE · #1 (**permalink**) 10-25-2007

I have some alphas that are saved on a single .png file rather than individual files for each letter. I prefer them as individual files and wonder if there is a simple way to extract the letters. Please tell me how you do it. (I use PSPX btw...) Thanks!

Tracey R (Haley64) · #2 (**permalink**) 10-25-2007

Ahhh not a simple way if they are all on one sheet. What I do however is that when I have a .png file like that is just open it when I am making a LO, then depending on the consistant size of the alphas I just make a rectangle/circle selection around one of the alphas. Copy and paste as new layer into my LO, go back to alpha sheet move the selection to the next alpha I want (no need to redraw the selection every time, just use your right mouse button to move the selected area and copy/paste again.
I am one of the few I think that like single sheet items! LOL

There is a script from Suz Shook that allows you to use any font you have and it can create individual .png files from the alphas like that. But if the alpha is already made on a single sheet her script doesn't help you out as it doesn't understand where to grab it's next selection from to do a copy and paste as new image.

shelleyrae · #3 (**permalink**) 10-25-2007

http://www.scrapbook-bytes.com/a-tut...icle_235.shtml

This tutorial walks you throught it in PSP

HTH

Tracey R (Haley64) · #4 (**permalink**) 10-26-2007

The only problem with doing it that way, by pasting as selection it doesn't place the item on a seperate layer and you can't move it without the background paper or other items on the same layer along with it!

But yes do it that way, only paste as new layer at least until you get everything postioned the where you want it, then you can merge all your alpha layers together.

Renee in NE · #5 (**permalink**) 10-26-2007

I know how to remove the item and paste it to a new layer. I just didn't want to have to do it 26 times. LOL I was hoping someone had discovered or developed some nifty process I hadn't used before that would magically lift them off the page and put them into 26 separate .png files. I did them all manually - and now I am much happier. I will, however, keep working on the "magic formula" to move them from a single .png file to multiple files.

Tracey R (Haley64) · #6 (**permalink**) 10-26-2007

I write scripts that do this for my own files, but I know before hand the exact size and placement of the alphas on my sheet.
So I do all the steps (26 including any extra symbols) while recording the steps. Save this script to your Trusted Folder and then you can open another sheet with everything the exact same size and location and run your script. This will produce all the single files you need. I am not good enough with scripts to figure out how to tell it (PSP) what coordinates (or whatever) is should use to find it's next selected area if say the alphas/elements are not all in the exact same location....