Transparency (graphic)

Transparency is possible in a number of graphics file formats. The term transparency is used in various ways by different people, but at its simplest there is 'full transparency' i.e. something that is completely invisible. Only part of a graphic should be fully transparent, or there would be nothing to see. More complex is 'partial transparency' or 'translucency' where the effect is achieved that a graphic is partially transparent in the same way as colored glass. Since ultimately a printed page or computer or television screen can only be one color at a point, partial transparency is always simulated at some level by mixing colors. There are many different ways to mix colors, so in some cases transparency is ambiguous. Transparency is possible in a number of graphics file formats. The term transparency is used in various ways by different people, but at its simplest there is 'full transparency' i.e. something that is completely invisible. Only part of a graphic should be fully transparent, or there would be nothing to see. More complex is 'partial transparency' or 'translucency' where the effect is achieved that a graphic is partially transparent in the same way as colored glass. Since ultimately a printed page or computer or television screen can only be one color at a point, partial transparency is always simulated at some level by mixing colors. There are many different ways to mix colors, so in some cases transparency is ambiguous.