Q131687: PPT: CompuServe GIF89a Doesn’t Import Transparent Background

Article: Q131687
Product(s): Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows
Version(s): WINDOWS:2.0,3.0,4.0,7.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbgraphic kbdta kbconversion
Last Modified: 15-APR-2000

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows 95, version 7.0 
- Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows, versions 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 
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SYMPTOMS
========

When you import a picture in the GIF89a graphics format, with one of its colors
set to transparent, the picture imports into PowerPoint 4.0 or 7.0 with the
transparent area filled with the original color.

CAUSE
=====

The GIF import filter supports both the GIF87a and GIF89a formats. However, the
transparent color option of the GIF89a format is not supported by the filter.
The GIF graphic import filter reads the GIF file and converts the image data
into generic bitmap data. The generic bitmap data format does not support
transparent colors or regions.

NOTE: The GIF import filter is only shipped with PowerPoint 4.0 and later and
Microsoft Office 4.2 or later, but if you have it installed, all versions of
PowerPoint can use it.

RESOLUTION
==========

If your GIF image is a monochrome image--that is, it only uses black and white
as its colors--you can save it as a monochrome Windows Bitmap. PowerPoint
imports this image format directly, bypassing the generic bitmap, and
maintaining a transparent background. To do this:

1. Open your GIF file in an application such as Microsoft Imager, which allows
  you to open GIF files and save it in a different graphic format. For example,
  save the image as a Windows Bitmap (.BMP) or a Publisher Paintbrush (.PCX)
  file.

2. Open this new .BMP or .PCX file in Windows Paintbrush.

3. Save the file as a Monochrome Bitmap . This choice is in the Save File As
  Type list in the Paintbrush Save As dialog box (File menu).

4. Start or switch to PowerPoint and import the bitmap created in step 4 above.

If your GIF file is grayscale or uses more than two colors, this may not be an
option. Converting grayscale images to monochrome may produce unwanted results,
and color images will look even worse when converted to a monochrome color
scheme.

Depending on the image, you may be able to convert the GIF file into a
vector-based graphic by using a program, such as Corel Trace, Micrografx
Designer,or Adobe Superpaint.

Vector-based graphics are simply file formats that contain instructions on how to
draw objects and what colors to fill them with. The following are some of the
various vector-based formats supported by PowerPoint 4.0:

- Computer Graphics Metafile (CGM)

- Windows Metafile (WMF)

- Macintosh PICT format (PCT)

- CorelDRAW! version 3.0 (CDR)

Once converted, you can import the new image into PowerPoint and ungroup the
picture, converting the picture into a PowerPoint object. The object can be
recolored, deleted, or made transparent.

MORE INFORMATION
================

PowerPoint 97 supports transparency in bitmapped images.

For information about transparent images in Microsoft PowerPoint 97, please see
the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

  Q159014 PPT: Transparent Image Support in PowerPoint 97 and 98

Additional query words: ppt95 2.00e 2.0 2.0e 3.0 4.00a 4.00c 7.0 PowerPoint 95 power point w_powerpt win95

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Keywords          : kbgraphic kbdta kbconversion 
Technology        : kbPowerPtSearch kbPowerPt700 kbZNotKeyword2 kbPowerPt700Search kbPowerPt400 kbPowerPt200 kbPowerPt300
Version           : WINDOWS:2.0,3.0,4.0,7.0
Hardware          : x86
Issue type        : kbprb

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