Hi,

Could someone please explain to me how to create a transparent VTF file to use in my maps.

I know how to create VTFs from Photoshop, but my VTF don't want to be transparent. It's got a transparent background in Photoshop when it's a PSD file, but when I compile it into a VTF and add it to my map, the background changes to white.

Kind regards,

Stephan

Take a look at this:
http://www.hl2world.com/wiki/index.php/Alpha_Channel_Textures

The article fails to mention that there is a photoshop plugin that allows you to import/export vtf files. Very handy tool.

http://nemesis.thewavelength.net/index.php?c=155

"alpha channel"

I figured it out!

I have the plugin installed. Turns out that you need to hold down the ctrl key and using the little tool that selects an entire object, you select all the pieces of your project that you want in your transparent VTF.

When you have selected all of them, click on the "Add to Alpha Channel" button in the lower right-hand corner.

It'll show a new layer named: Alpha 1. If you click on Alpha 1 you'll see black and white only. The white parts are the parts that will show and the black part(s) will be transparent. With the plugin installed, save the file as VTF and select "Compressed with Alpha Channels".

Create your VMT file and voila!