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Alpha Channel Retarded
Hello I know that this must be something simple that I’m overlooking…
I have a client that wants me to give them QuickTime Files of a host that I’m going to key out from a green screen with the Alpha key in it so that they can import the files and right away read that alpha channel and put objects behind the subject.
While I have no problem keying in various programs such as After Effects, Motion, Final Cut etc. When I make a graphic in programs such as Live Type & Zaxwerk’s Pro Animator the QuickTime file that I bring in is automatically recognized and transparent around the text without me doing anything.
How can I create such a QuickTime file that is instantly recognized and makes everything transparent around my subject or such as this object?
When I attempt to create such a file and test it I can tell that it has an Alpha Channel but I cannot get programs such as After Effects & Final Cut Pro to automatically recognize it like if I made a QuickTime file in Live Type.
Thanks to any and all who spend time answering this question!
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11 Replies
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You have to render out an animation movie with an Alpha.
Why don’t you key out your subject in AE, render out an animation with alpha, and give that to your client?
Jeremy
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[Russell Scott] “When I attempt to create such a file and test it I can tell that it has an Alpha Channel but I cannot get programs such as After Effects & Final Cut Pro to automatically recognize it like if I made a QuickTime file in Live Type.”
FCP cannot create a file with an Alpha Channel. You need to do this in After Effects or Motion, or similar program.
You can create a Matte to go with the keyed out host in FCP.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Food Network’s “Good Eats”
HD Editorial for “Assignment Earth”“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters
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Put the green screen clip on layer 2 and set up the key. Leave layer 1 empty (or remove the background clip after you get the key set up). Do not render (or make it become unrendered after you set up the key). Export with Quicktime conversion to the Animation codec.
If the clip is rendered in the timeline, you will not get the alpha channel cut out, as the render file creates a composite of all layers. -
[John Pale] “If the clip is rendered in the timeline, you will not get the alpha channel cut out, as the render file creates a composite of all layers.”
But it’s going to render it during the export, so does that not defeat this method. I.e. the alpha channel does not stay connected? I’ve not tried your method, does it actually retain the alpha channel? That would be very cool indeed.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Food Network’s “Good Eats”
HD Editorial for “Assignment Earth”“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters
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It works. Just did a test to be sure, as I have not had need to do it in quite awhile…but the method still works.
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[John Pale] “It works. Just did a test to be sure, as I have not had need to do it in quite awhile…but the method still works.”
Well that’s very clever. I’ll have to file that one away for a rainy day.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
https://www.biscardicreative.com
HD Editorial & Animation for Food Network’s “Good Eats”
HD Editorial for “Assignment Earth”“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters
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Just jotted that one down in my notebook…
Thanks for sharing! The Cow is the best.
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not really sure if retarded is a good word to use
G5 quad
FCP HD
2 gigs ramRyan Servant
SuperNova Inc -
John Pale,
You are the man!!! I just tested it as well. This is exactly what I’m looking for!!
The Cow Rocks!!
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Walter,
I thought we settled this a while ago.
FCP can indeed export to Quicktime with alpha… the process is just very nuanced.
Zak
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