ermm... I told you it works in 32bit mode, so errrmm... I guess that the pic is pretty good
Btw, Paint Shop Pro has a VERY good bitdepth decrementor filter thingy... It can do WONDERS in 256 colours and it preserves the colour of everything that takes quite much space in the pic... In oher words, it nicely dithers the slight colour gradients, but preserves the bigger parts perfectly... Give it a try one maybe
An thanks about that thingy with bitdepths... Even tho I wonder that if what you said about 32bit mode then you could as well make the primary surface transparent? (well, if it has an alpha channel.... )