32 bit PNG's with Photoshop?

**sakr** · 05-04-2006, 02:17 PM

Hey guys. I am desperate for a way to create 32 bit pngs so I can apply the png transparency hacks on IE 5.5+. Apparently, those hacks don't work with 24 bit pngs and 8 bit pngs are no better than gifs. As you can see (if you use IE), my website isn't exactly gorgeous due to IE's lame support for PNG transparency (compare to attached image). Can anyone help me out here? BTW, I use a mac.

**sandrac** · 04:26 PM

Don't quote me on this, but I don't think that 32-bit graphics (transparent or otherwise) will be handled in IE until IE7. It's out in Beta right now.

**sakr** · 05-04-2006, 02:59 PM

I remember reading that the hacks only worked with 32 bit PNGs. Maybe the sites were wrong. Is there another solution besides providing an alternative Gif/PNG-8 image for IE users that someone can vouch for?

**Varelse** · 05-11-2006, 02:14 PM

You don't need 32 bit PNGs - 24 bit ones are more than enough and they hold full transparency channel.
Here's the hack for IE6 to display it properly: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/bobosola/pnghowto.htm

**sakr** · 05-11-2006, 02:29 PM

Tried that hack already (is actually still in my source code). It doesn't work with 24 bit png's, at least those made in photoshop. I just changed them to 8 bits and everythings fine now.

**Varelse** · 05-11-2006, 02:59 PM

8 bit ones don't require hack

That's strange that this hack didn't work for you - maybe you had scripts blocked by your browser or plugin?

As far as I know there are no 32 bit PNGs - try to save 32 bit image and you won't find PNG on the list of available formats.

**sakr** · 05-11-2006, 03:08 PM

Not in photoshop. But in fireworks, at least, yes.

**Varelse** · 05-11-2006, 03:21 PM

But the hack for IE6 PNG transparency works fine for 24-bit PNGs, so the problem must be somewhere else - not in the 24/32 bit PNG format for sure.
Maybe you have saved your PNG using improper settings?