Is background transparency possible in png format?

[CyanideClyde]

I only started using this awesome program about a week ago, and I played around with a few versions to get a feel for it. I noticed in Mandelbulber, that you could save png's with a '+ alpha' option that replaced the background with transparency. Is it possible to do this in the new Mandelbulb 3D version 1.8.9? If so, how?

I tried saving the Z buffer(8 bit) png, and converting it's channel to a selection in Photoshop with poor results, i.e.  low fidelity. I don't have much experience with fractals, so any insight is much appreciated. I'm also curious whether there is any way to do transparency in other areas, such as the color bar stops or individual formulas...
 

[CyanideClyde]

Okay,I see you can make an image with a clear background from the z-buffer png in Photoshop(CS5). Just use 'select> color range', with fuzziness set to 200 and make a selection by clicking the black area in the z-buffer image...next open the full color version of the png in PS(same dimensions), then 'select> all' and 'Edit> copy'. Next go to the z-buffer image in PS and 'Edit> Paste Special> Paste in Place', then with the pasted layer selected 'Edit> Clear' using the selection made earlier.

I don't know that this is the best way to do it, but it works. Complex images might require a little cleanup with the history brush, or use of a layer mask(selection active) instead of clearing the pixels.

 

[lxh]

Well, it seems that you're on the right track but there are other ways to handle ZBuffer in Photoshop. I use it as a Layer Mask to get more control. Use Levels or Curves to simply pick the back- and foreground to black and white and use 'Refine Mask' to feather, smooth or shift the edges.

[CyanideClyde]

Thanks...that should be more precise.