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Still Images in FCP
Hi,
I’m running fcp 5.1 HD
I have an image file in .bmp format that I am trying to place in the lower corner of my project, like a watermark. The image is however a full page big with a wite background.
Is there any way to make that white background transparent or get rid of it at all?
Thank you for your help for this very beginner.
Mike
“Rage against the Dying of the Light”
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2 Replies
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Hi Mike,
.bmp files do not carry an alpha channel, which is what you need for a watermark.
You’ll need to use Photoshop to make the changes and save the image as a .tiff – .targa – or pict. (there’s one more format, but I can’t remember off the top of my head)
Then you can bring that file back into FCP and it will display correctly.
Unless you’re familar with Photoshop, it’s not the simplest thing to do.I believe there is some freeware that can create an alpha channel from a white background graphic, but I haven’t run across one.
Good Luck,
Todd at UCSB
Television Production -
Depending on your image, one of the FCP keys might get you by – key out the white background. This is a pretty rough and ready solution, though. You’re best off getting your head around doing it in Photoshop or something similar as Todd suggested.
One of the gotchas I have found, is that FCP will sometimes render a 1-pixel wide line around the edge of the file, alpha channel or not. If you go into PS, make a file the size of your video, and position the watermark exactly where you want it and at the right size to avoid weirdness. Fiddle with the opacity in FCP.
Format-wise, PSD files will also carry an alpha channel into FCP.
Enzo Tedeschi
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