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Compositing BIM Animations with Alpha Channels
Hi,
I have a question regarding compositing and alpha channels. I have used Vegas for some time now but honestly have very little experience with the compositing modes and the use of alpha channels. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
So here’s the situation 🙂
I’m working with a 3d modeling animation, created by an architect in BIM. I imported over 900 images, per some great feedback on these very forums, into Vegas to be treated as video (30fps) and the result was a successful animation. (Thanks to those that helped!)
The BIM animation currently shows black lines that represent the structure of the building. The flicker throughout the animation. In an effort to disguise those lines and the flickering that is taking place the architect created a series of TGA image files, that follow the same animation path but only reveal the lines. The files were formated to be used as an alpha channel and we were hoping to create a mask with them.
I realize that this may sound confusing and I do apologize if it is unclear. I would love to attach an image to demonstrate what I’m discussing, however due to the confidentiality agreement at the firm I work for I’m not allowed to share our building designs, especially this early on in their development.
If there is anyone who might be able to share some insight that would be amazing 🙂
Thanks,
Kira
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2 Replies
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I would use PNG files instead of TGA files They will perform better in Vegas. Anyway…
Bring the TGA files in as a sequence just like you did for the other files. If the alpha channel shows as black, here is how you fix that. Right-click on the media that is created in the Project Media and select Properties, and on the Media tab change the Alpha Channel to match the alpha channel that you exported from your 3D program. If you don’t know which to select, start with Straight (unmatted) and work your way down until it looks correct. You can now use this on a track over any other track and the lower track will show through the alpha channel.
~jr
http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com -
Hi John,
Thank you so much for your feedback and advice! I did as you said and unfortunately it did not fix our problem, but we discovered that the issue was actually with the alpha channel renderings that had been created. The animation path did not line up with the media we were trying to overlay and was actually
I will definitely remember this advice for the future!
Thanks again, 🙂
Kira
When you reach for the stars all you get are the stars, but we found a whole new spin. If you reach for the heavens you get the stars thrown in.
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