Can't get transparent BG

[Bert Speggly]

I'm trying to create an image (a simple circle) with a transparent background so I can overlay it in my video program. But the background shows white in both paint.net and the video program. Would appreciate somebody telling me what I'm not getting!

Thanks 

Bert

[Tactilis]

1. Draw your circle.

2. Use the Magic Wand tool to select the area outside the circle.

3. Edit -> Erase Selection (or just press the Delete key) to erase the selected pixels, replacing them with transparent.

4. File -> Save As (or press Ctrl+Shift+S) and save your image as a .PNG file.

I suspect you have been saving as a JPG image.

PNG supports transparency. JPG does not.

[Bert Speggly]

Yes I figured it out, but many thanks for your quick response. I did it by using two layers, making the first one transparent and then adding a new layer with the circle. But I will try your method. And you were right about the file format.

Bert

[Tactilis]

5 hours ago, Bert Speggly said:

I did it by using two layers, making the first one transparent and then adding a new layer with the circle.

That's a good approach but you could save a step by doing the drawing on the transparent background layer.

 

Starting with a new image:
1. Ctrl+A to Select All

2. Delete to Erase Selection; this gives you a transparent background layer

3. Draw your circle

4. Save as PNG