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alphaData

Type

property

Summary

Specifies the binary data that makes up the alpha channel of the picture in an image object.

Syntax

set the alphaData of <image> to <binaryData>

Description

Use the alphaData property to control the transparency of the pixels in an image.

Each pixel is represented by 8 bits (1 byte) of alpha channel data, with pixels numbered from the top left corner of the image, left to right, then top to bottom.

A value of zero means the pixel is fully transparent; a value of 255 is fully opaque; and values in between indicate a level of partial translucency.

Important

Since the alphaData of an image is binary data rather than text, trying to display the data in a field may cause unexpected behavior.

Since each pixel is represented by 8 bits (1 byte or 1 character), you can obtain the numeric value for a given pixel using the charToNum function. For example, the numeric value of the alphaData for the tenth pixel is given by the expression charToNum(char 10 of the alphaData of image).

Important

When changing the alphaData property, make sure the new data is the correct size: 1 byte per pixel in the image. If you set an image's alphaData property to data whose total length is incorrect, the image's appearance may be distorted.

Examples

set the alphaData of image "Hellacious" to savedAlphaChannel
if charToNum(char x of the alphaData of image 1) is 255 then next repeat

control structure: function

glossary: property, binary file, pixel, expression, binary, alpha channel

keyword: field, image

property: maskData, blendLevel, pixels, imageData

Compatibility and Support

Introduced

LiveCode 1.1

OS

mac

windows

linux

ios

android

Platforms

desktop

server

mobile

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