Creating custom edges/frames

[paulgul]

Using X4 on Windows 7.
I'm trying to create a series of custom edges to supplement those already supplied in X4. I've created the edge ok and exported it as a frame and it works ok. The problem is selecting it in the dropdown menu under Image/picture frames. Whereas the thumbnails of the supplied edges have grey shading to represent the transparent section of the edge, mine don't, they are just plain white and that makes it difficult to know what edge to select.
What have I done wrong? I've opened a couple of the supplied edges and they look similar to mine ie no shading.

[LeviFiction]

This is one of those times I wish I had PSP to test my idea before posting but sadly I cannot because my computer is at the shop.

I've never created my own frames but it might be possible that the thumbnails don't show transparency.

If that's the case then the alpha channel is actually blocking out the grey area when applied but the grey shows up in the thumbnail. So change the area masked by the alpha channel to a grey color and it'll show up in the thumbnail as grey. Then again I could be completely off.

[paulgul]

Got there, what has to be done is to add a 2nd layer under the edge layer, fill this 2nd layer with black (any color will probably do) and set the opacity to around 50%. then export it as a frame. Its this 2nd layer that shows in the thumbnail.
Paul

[brucet]

I work with frames on most/many of my pictures. I also work in 16bit. In x4 Frames and 16bit simply don't get along with each other. So I'm building my own frames.
I open a new file. Use the various tools to create the frame. Making sure the background layer is transparent. Save. Then when working on one of my photos I simply open one of my frames. Do a Copy. Then paste it as a new layer on my photos.

For those frames that come with x4 I open a new file. Blank, transparent background. Then apply one of x4's frames. Yes it has to be 8 bit. I then rename and save the file. When working on one of my files I open up one of the now 8bit frames, promte it to 16bit, then paste as a new layer.

Sounds like a lot of work but I only use a few different frames so it's no big deal for me.