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~~Animation Codec is too BIG with alpha
hey guys, just wondering if there is a better solution to having an alpha in a movie without having to use the “animation” codec. Any clues? photojpeg is nice and small and visually ok but doesnt supporet the alpha channel. i have a bunch of movies that need to fit on one dvd as data. im at almost 3 dvds with animation codec . not good… thanks!!
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6 Replies
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Set up a render as PhotoJPEG at about 89% or 94% quality. Then select and duplicate the output module, and change it from “RGB” to “alpha”, and change its name to add “alpha” to the original name, just for your convenience later.
Then the editor can use the alpha movie as the luma matte for your RGB movie.
The file size should be smaller.
You could also buy a codec like Microcosm from Digital Anarchy, but your editor would need it so he can read your files. I think the reader is free , but lots of guys don’t want to install new codecs on their systems.
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Stephen’s suggestions are one way to go. Another option is to use QuickTime’s PNG CODEC which supports alpha channels. Or you could also use TIFF sequences with lossless compression.
HTH
Roland Kahlenberg
broadcastGEMs
customizable animated backdrops with Adobe After Effects project files -
Output an alpha channel and tell whatever you’re working with afterwards to use it as a luma matte.
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Don’t use PNG, it is still prone to problems (even though they claim they fixed them). Just separate your channels like the others suggested. If you have some money, you may also consider getting the Microcosm CoDec which is particularly useful once you move beyond SD resolution. If you know everything stays on a Mac, you can use the Pixlet CoDec which works similarly.
Mylenium
[Pour Myl
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[Mylenium] “Don’t use PNG, it is still prone to problems (even though they claim they fixed them).”
Hi Mylenium
I haven’t had any issues with QuickTime’s PNG. It’s quite important to my workflow. Are there any ‘news’ out there or first hand-experience that you can provide – will be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Roland Kahlenberg
broadcastGEMs
customizable animated backdrops with Adobe After Effects proejct files -
No, no specific issues, but I get missing/ wrong/ black pixels every now and then with that CoDec so I don’t use it. Dunno why, but it’s gotten on my nerves since we still work a lot in SD and it’s very obvious sometimes. ;o). Animation and Microcosm work much better for me. Don’t bother, I know that our configuration at work is less tahn ideal in many ways. Maybe some day we incidentally will find the magic switch to make it go away…
Mylenium
[Pour Myl
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