alpha channel
In graphics, a portion of each pixel's data that is reserved for transparency information. 32-bit graphics systems contain four channels -- three 8-bit channels for red, green, and blue (RGB) and one 8-bit alpha channel. The alpha channel is really a mask -- it specifies how the pixel's colors should be merged with another pixel when the two are overlaid, one on top of the other.
Typically, you wouldn't define the alpha channel on a pixel-by-pixel basis, but rather per object. Different parts of the object would have different levels of transparency depending on how much you wanted the background to show through. This allows you to create rectangular objects that appear as if they are irregular in shape -- you define the rectangular edges as transparent so that the background shows through. This is especially important for animation, where the background changes from one frame to the next.
Rendering overlapping objects that include an alpha value is called alpha blending.
-
1
Consumerization of IT
Consumerization of IT is a phrase used to describe the cycle of information technology (IT) emerging in the consumer market then spreading to...
-
2
ERP - Enterprise Resource Planning
Short for enterprise resource planning, ERP is business management software that allows an organization to use a system of integrated applications...
-
-
3
ecommerce remarketing
In email and online marketing, remarketing or ecommerce remarketing refers to the techniques, strategies and often the automated email...
-
4
Mobile Device Management - MDM
Mobile device management (MDM) is a type of security software used by an IT department to monitor, manage and secure employee's mobile devices...
-
5
search engines
Search engines are programs that search documents for specified keywords and returns a list of the documents where the keywords were found.
-
6
Wi-Fi
A popular wireless networking technology that provides high-speed Internet and network connections.
-
7
mobile operating system
The mobile operating system is the software platform on top of which other programs, called application programs, can run on mobile devices.
-
8
enterprise application
An enterprise application is the term used to describe applications -- or software -- that a business would use to assist the organization in...
-
9
open source
Generically, open source refers to a program in which the source code is available to the general public for use and/or modification from its...
-
10
URL
Abbreviation of Uniform Resource Locator, the global ...
-
11
RSA Secure ID
RSA SecurID ( “SecurID”) is a two-factor authentication technology that is used to protect network resources.
Connect with Webopedia
-
-
SOHO Business Solutions: Accounting and Finance Software
Five inexpensive – or free – software packages to help SOHO owners manage the accounting and finance aspects of their business.
