Can't edit clothing alphas on new HP PC with Vista 64-bit...

[goderguy]

I have a brand-new computer (HP desktop - less than 1 month old with 6 GB Ram, AMD Phenom 9550 Quad-Core processor - 2.20 GHz, Nvidia GeForce 9100 graphics card, Windows Vista 64-bit), and I have every EP and SP of Sims 2. The game works great, custom content works great, and I can do recolors in Bodyshop.

What I can't do, and I WAS able to do on my old computer, is edit alphas on clothing. If I so much as remove the alpha of gloves or nylons, or try to change the neckline, the project goes bad and I get a pure white mesh. Even undoing and resaving the original alpha in my paint program will not "cure" the problem - once it's broke it can't be fixed.

I would consider myself pretty experienced with Bodyshop - in the past I've changed sleeveless dresses into long-sleeved ones, made boxer briefs into bikini briefs, changed the opacity with various shades of grey, modified shoe styles, etc. But I can't do any of that any more.

To recap, any changes to the alpha will cause the mesh to turn white with no texture or alpha markings visible. I have a lot of projects I would like to do and cannot do them. Can someone please help me figure out what to do? Any and all assitance is greatly appreciated!

[abaris]

Could you be a little bit more specific about your paint programm?

I'm running Vista 64 on my rig and I'm using photoshop and haven't run into these kinds of problems. It works as it should.

But to add a question of my own: How are you able to change the sleeve lenghts in bodyshop? The mesh would still be there and visible.

[goderguy]

I use Paint.net. I think I found a solution to my problem - apparently Paint.net doesn't auto save files in the 24-bit BMP format. So I need to make sure that's what format to save files in.

When I mentioned sleeves, I was referring to skintight sleeves only. If you move the alpha up or down the arm, the texture will only show where it's white on the alpha. So I have taken a strapless gown and addwed sheer or solid sleeves to it...

[abaris]

I use Paint.net. I think I found a solution to my problem - apparently Paint.net doesn't auto save files in the 24-bit BMP format. So I need to make sure that's what format to save files in.

Sure, that might be a problem. Photoshop automatically saves in the same format as the original, unless you added layers.