[calimehtar]

Basically I've got a shadow in black and white, and I want to be able to apply it to any surface at all as though the white part where transparent. Any idea where to start? I've come on this problem before and never found a solution

[DeathMan]

I don't know if I understand you completely, but to convert a normal layer into an alpha channel, all you have to do is copy and paste. copy the bw layer, make a new alpha channel, and paste into it.

Also, usually black represents transparent on a mask, rather than white, so you might have to invert the layer.

[graphics84]

if you can select the desired area then do so (magic wand, what ever)... then hit the letter "Q"... that will create a quick mask... make a copy of that and that and throw awya the qucik mask... that will give you an extra channel of you selection