Extra Information

Snagit on Windows Snagit 11.1 Help File
www.techsmith.com - 262 -
What You Need to Know About Trans-
parency
What is Transparency?
Simply put, transparency is the ability to see through part or all of an image.
To understand how transparency in image files works, it’s helpful to understand the terms opaque, trans-
lucent, and transparent.
Opaque means completely solid. You can’t see through something that is opaque. In the real world, this might
be a wall or a door.
Translucent means partially opaque and partially transparent. It’s an in-between state. In the real world, this
is like a stained glass window. You can see through it, but not in the way you see through clear glass. This
state is referred to as partially transparent in image files.
Transparent means completely clear or see-through. Something that is transparent might as well be invisible.
In the real world this is a clear glass window, or even the air that is all around us.
Why Should You Care About Transparency?
That’s an easy question. It’s going to make your images look great. When layered on top of other images,
whether it’s a web page with colored backgrounds or presentation slide templates, an image with a trans-
parent canvas will look professional and polished.