Sass/Compass - Convert Hex, RGB, or Named Color to RGBA

I use the rgbapng compass plugin

rgbapng is a Compass plugin for providing cross-browser* compatible RGBA support. It works by creating single pixel alpha-transparent PNGs on the fly for browsers that don't support RGBA. It uses the pure Ruby ChunkyPNG library resulting in hassle-free installation and deployment.

Install

gem install compass-rgbapng

Usage

@include rgba-background(rgba(0,0,0,0.75));

Compiles to:

background: url('/images/rgbapng/000000bf.png?1282127952');
background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.75);

There's also ie-hex-str() for IE's ##AARRGGBB format:

filter: progid:DXImageTransform.Microsoft.gradient(startColorstr='#{ie-hex-str(#fdfdfd)}', endColorstr='#{ie-hex-str(#f6f6f6)}',GradientType=0); /* IE6-9 */

Use the rgba function built into Sass

Sets the opacity of a color.

Examples:

rgba(#102030, 0.5) => rgba(16, 32, 48, 0.5)
rgba(blue, 0.2) => rgba(0, 0, 255, 0.2)

Parameters:
(Color) color
(Number) alpha — A number between 0 and 1

Returns:
(Color)

Code:

rgba(#ff0000, 0.5); // Output is rgba(255,0,0,0.5);

The rgba function doesn't work on color with no transparency, it returns an hex again. After all, it's not meant to transform hex to rgba, we're just making profit out of hex doesn't allow alpha (yet).

rgba(#fff, 1) // returns #fff

So, I made al little functions that buils the rgb string. I don't need to deal with transparencies for now.

@function toRGB ($color) {
    @return "rgb(" + red($color) + ", " + green($color) + ", " + blue($color)+ ")";
}