IE recognizing .png graphics

[SonicVanguard]

Is Internet Explorer capable of properly reading .png graphics - specifically, transparenties that .png graphics are capable of.

I want to utilize the .png format because I will get better graphic quality over .gif. I know FireFox and Opera can render transparencies in .png files correctly, but it seems Internet Explorer does not. Is there any way around this? (Other than using the .gif format.)

TIA.

[mairving]

Not really much way around it currently since IE6 doesn't support png alpha transparencies. Supposedly IE7 will fix this but it will be awhile before it is widespread. Gif is still the best choice unfortunately in some situations.

[SonicVanguard]

What about Safari? I've had to step in and help a professor teach a class - the prof is ill and I'm available. And I won't have much issue with the bulk of the class but I'm a novice with web technologies - at least in page creation.

I simply need to make sure most of what I put on the class site is viewable on the bulk of the browsers on campus. IE isn't really found in the computer labs, but I'm sure a few students will be using it on their personal systems. The graphics I want to use simply look terrible in .gif format so .png is my other option for alpha transparencies.

[mairving]

Safari should be okay. Here (http://www.libpng.org/pub/png/pngstatus.html#browsers) is a bit more info.

[SonicVanguard]

Thanks mairving. I think I might use IE's inability to utilize the full potential of the .png format as a demonstration as some point within the class.

[tomkear2006]

I have a javascript .png transparency fix that you can include in you page and it will solve the display problems in IE6.

Let me know if you would like a copy and I will host it and give you the link :)

[Statica]

This page has the script: http://koivi.com/ie-png-transparency/