Sijun Forums :: View topic - "Hardware Alpha" what is it and can I use it?

h*sync · junior member Member # Joined: 12 May 2001 Posts: 17

I've always wondered, I assume it speeds up your transparency in various ways, but I'm just wondering, how do I know if my hardware supports it and if it's working or making a difference?

(btw, GeForce2Ultra athlon 1,2ghz etc)

waylon · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2001 2:57 pm

First off, yes, you video card supports hardware alpha. Every 3D accelerated video card made in the last 2-3 years supports hardware alpha. It's a very, very, VERY basic function.

Of course, it only speeds up transparency in applications that use DirectX or OpenGL. Your layers in Photoshop aren't going to display any faster.

h*sync · junior member Member # Joined: 12 May 2001 Posts: 17

I wonder why it's an option in photoshop.

Oh well

waylon · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2001 5:51 pm

Hey, well, I'll be damned. I guess it is an option. I'm sure your card supports it, though I'm not sure how much exactly Photoshop uses it for. I mean, if you have a layer set to "Color Burn" mode for instance, THAT's not something your video card would support.

Anyway, I imagine you aren't experiencing too many slowdowns with your 1.2ghz cpu, so I wouldn't sweat it.

Frost · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2001 7:43 am

Waylon =)

nova · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2001 5:28 pm

Hm.. excuse the dumb question but what's the use of hardware alpha anyway? Does anyone ever use it?

waylon · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2001 7:58 pm

Well, people use it all the time in video games....

h*sync · junior member Member # Joined: 12 May 2001 Posts: 17

I turned it on, and next time I used PS anything that's normally the checkerboard dealy for transparency was just 50% gray. So I guess I'll just stick with non video alpha