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Alpha Channels

By Jacci Howard Bear, About.com

Definition: When working with graphics, bitmap masks with transparency can be used as alpha channels. They have both transparent and opaque areas. Typically, alpha channels are used in photo or video compositing. Some software programs can create a clipping path from the alpha channels information stored in an image to mask or hide certain elements (such as for removing the background).
Common Misspellings: alfa channel

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