Re: 8-bit alpha in 32-bit frame-buffer?????

[EnderWiggenRules@aol.com]

In a message dated 4/16/00 5:50:15 AM Central Daylight Time, 
nikhilwiz@yahoo.com writes:

<< Alpha channel is used for transparency. Not as a
 "padding" byte! Alpha is used to indicate the degree
 of transparency of a color, for blending purposes.
  >>

Actually, I've seen it used for both. In writing graphics files, the extra 
8-bits can be used for padding. In writing graphics programs that don't 
internally use transparency and use the BIOS (or simulate what the BIOS 
does), alpha can be used for transparency uses. I usually prefer to use 
24-bit allocations in my programs, for I manually do the transparency (It's 
slower, yet usually if I use transparency, I'm going to do something ELSE to 
the pixel, like filter it, morph/warp it, etc. I manually do the transparency 
because it gives more control). I only use 32-bit if it is significantly 
faster.

-Ender Wiggin
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