TalkPHP - Create a new transparent image?

Hey there!

I have a small problem here... Im trying to create some images that consist of multiple layers, and I want the base image to be complete transparent before I place any other layers on top of it...

Placing the layers onto each other works, but the base image is just "black" due to imagecreatetruecolor(). How can I make the background completely transparent beffore I place the other layers on top of it???

Here is my code

PHP Code:


		
			
            $ptlMask = imagecreatefrompng(BB_PATH."default_mask.png");

            $white = imagecolorallocate($ptlMask, 255, 255, 255);

            $font = BB_PATH."arial.ttf";

            # GET PSN ID STATS

            if($this->ptlProfile["result"]==true){

                # CREATE BLANK IMAGE

                $background = imagecreatetruecolor(550,125);

                # SET BACKGROUND

                # !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SET IF FOR BACKGROUND !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                if($defaultBackground>0){

                    $backgroundImage = imagecreatefromjpeg(BB_PATH."default_background_".$defaultBackground.".jpg");

                    $image = imagecopyresampled($background,$backgroundImage,2,2,0,0,548,123,548,123);

                    # CREATE TEMP IMAGE

                    #imagepng($image,BB_PATH."TEMP".$userId.".png",100);

                }else{

                    # CUSTOM PIC UPLOAD    

                }

                # PLACE MASK ON TOP

                $image = imagecopyresampled($background,$ptlMask,0,0,0,0,550,125,550,125);

                # INSERT STATS

                

                # XP BAR

                

                # SAVE IMAGE

                $checkImageSave = imagepng($background,BB_PATH.$userId.".png",9);

                #$text2Image = imagettftext($background,12,0,50,50,$white,$font,"THIS IS A TEST");

                return $status;

thanks for any help on this small problem :)