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Exporting Quicktime or WIndows AVI alpha Channel in Premiere CS5
Hello all!
What are the settings to export an alpha channel in Premiere CS5. When I try following these instructions at this link…
https://blogs.adobe.com/premierepro/2010/07/exporting_video_with_an_alp ha.html
…and use the Quicktime settings instructions, the resulting output file is 720 by 480. Even though my source file is 1440 x 1080.
And when I try to use the Microsoft AVI settings, my only only presets available in the dropdown are DV settings instead of wide screen.
So my question is how do I export a 1440 x 1080 file with an alpha channel to have the same aspect ratio as my source. Either in Quicktime (animation) or Microsoft AVI?
Thanks!
Rowby
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https://www.RowbyComedies.com -
6 Replies
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Hi Rowby,
I checked the instructions you referenced and there is no mention of any resolution setting, since that is up to the user and will vary. In the Export settings, under the VIDEO tab, you will find places to set the resolution, frame rate, and pixel aspect ratio to suit your needs. It probably defaults to “DV NTSC” sizing. If using HDV footage, then you likely need the 1440×1080, 29.97, with 1.33 pixel aspect. Usually Upper Field First unless using Progressive footage.
What are you doing with the export? Is it for your own use, or to give to someone else? Matrox has a nice codec that includes alpha channel, can be downloaded here – https://www.matrox.com/video/en/support/windows/vfw_software_codecs/downloads/softwares/version1.0/build33/
Note that system must have Matrox codecs installed for playback, so if sharing, then maybe not the best choice, but great for your own use.
Thanks
Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers -
Hi Jeff,
Thanks for your reply.
I’m importing it into After Effects CS5. I’ll check your settings and download the Matrox codec from your link.
I’ll report back here the results!
Regards,
Rowby
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Hi Rowby,
If you want to do some compositing in AE, then the QT Animation codec would probably be a higher quality than Matrox, but at the expense of larger files. The reason I mentioned Matrox is because I use their hardware with Premiere editing, and the codec looks pretty nice and the handy thing about the “MPEG-2 I-Frame HD + Alpha” version is that third-party animations can be rendered to that codec with transparency, and then will playback smoothly in realtime in Premiere. Great for animated overlays and wipes such as those from Digital Juice. Just render to Matrox, drop into timeline, and no render needed!
Thanks
Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers -
Why not use Dynamic link, no rendering at all.
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Adobe Certified Expert Premiere Pro CS6
Adobe Community Professional -
Hi Ann,
But will a dynamic link handle an alpha channel coming IN from Premiere?
Specifically I have a video which has a alpha channel in premiere. Hmmmm…. I guess what you are saying makes sense…..?????
🙂
RowbyVisit the Rowby Fan Club at
https://www.RowbyComedies.com -
Hi Jeff,
I tried using the Dynamic Link but ran into headaches. So I installed and used the Matrox Codex as you suggested.
It looks great.
In Premiere’s CS5 Export Settings I used the following:
Format: Microsoft AVI
Preset: Custom
Video Format: Matrox MPEG-2 I-Frame HD + Alpha (Several Matrox Codex were automatically added to the dropdown via the easy Matrox installation program that came in the zip.)I followed the PDF’s instructions that were included in the zip file and made sure my settings (i.e. Frame Rate) matched the source file.
Then imported it into After Effects and it came with the alpha channel and the correct aspect ratio.
Your advice was very valuable to me — and I am sure to others. And now I have an additional export tool (the various Matrox codex).
And for those who are wondering, you don’t have to have a Matrox card installed in your machine to take advantage of the codex.
Regards,
Rowby
Visit the Rowby Fan Club at
https://www.RowbyComedies.com
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