diff --git a/core/PApplet.java b/core/PApplet.java
index 044a21df8..66cd4c6c4 100644
--- a/core/PApplet.java
+++ b/core/PApplet.java
@@ -3610,11 +3610,21 @@ public class PApplet extends Applet
   }
 
 
+  static public void alpha(PImage image, int alpha[]) {
+     PGraphics.alpha(image, alpha);
+  }
+
+
   public void alpha(PImage alpha) {
      g.alpha(alpha);
   }
 
 
+  static public void alpha(PImage image, PImage alpha) {
+     PGraphics.alpha(image, alpha);
+  }
+
+
   public void filter(int kind) {
      g.filter(kind);
   }
diff --git a/core/PImage.java b/core/PImage.java
index 11172e16f..015c48c50 100644
--- a/core/PImage.java
+++ b/core/PImage.java
@@ -172,13 +172,22 @@ public class PImage implements PConstants, Cloneable {
    * Set alpha channel for an image.
    */
   public void alpha(int alpha[]) {
+    alpha(this, alpha);
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Set alpha channel for an image.
+   */
+  static public void alpha(PImage image, int alpha[]) {
     // don't execute if mask image is different size
-    if (alpha.length != pixels.length) {
+    if (alpha.length != image.pixels.length) {
       System.err.println("alpha(): the mask image must be the same size");
       return;
     }
-    for (int i = 0; i < pixels.length; i++) {
-      pixels[i] = pixels[i] & 0xffffff | ((alpha[i] & 0xff) << 24);
+    for (int i = 0; i < image.pixels.length; i++) {
+      image.pixels[i] = 
+        ((alpha[i] & 0xff) << 24) |
+        (image.pixels[i] & 0xffffff);
     }
     /*
     if (highbits) {  // grab alpha from the high 8 bits (RGBA style)
@@ -191,7 +200,7 @@ public class PImage implements PConstants, Cloneable {
       }
     }
     */
-    format = RGBA;
+    image.format = RGBA;
   }
 
 
@@ -202,6 +211,10 @@ public class PImage implements PConstants, Cloneable {
     alpha(alpha.pixels);
   }
 
+  static public void alpha(PImage image, PImage alpha) {
+    alpha(image, alpha.pixels);
+  }
+
 
   /**
 
diff --git a/core/todo.txt b/core/todo.txt
index 4a723ff30..7b53b93c2 100644
--- a/core/todo.txt
+++ b/core/todo.txt
@@ -136,8 +136,9 @@ X incorporated NO_FLYING_POO line/poly hack developed for axel
 X sort() should return an array, rather than sort in place
 X fix binary function, had wrong offset number
 X   casey: i wan't able to get binary() to work at all:
-
-_ standalone 'alpha' function for PImage
+o Typography: Helix won't compile 
+o   works fine, just needs BFont -> PFont
+X standalone 'alpha' function for PImage (static methods for alpha fxns)
 
 The biggest problem was the key and mouse functions not working. For example:
 Input: Mouse_Functions
@@ -145,8 +146,6 @@ Input: Keyboard_Functions
 
 Image: Edge, Image: Blur: Alpha not set? The error is easier to see on Blur
 
-Typography: Helix won't compile 
-
 ....
 
 _ processing.net -> PClient, PServer