Exporting to Flash with Alpha Channel

[Twintrbrx7]

Also is After Effects a better option for this? I just downloaded that and I am testing it out. No luck yet at getting a transparent background after keying out the green screen.

[Dean Steinmann]

twintrbrx7,

Have you exported from FCP in animation codec millions of colors plus?

Dean

[Twintrbrx7]

How do I export in FCP to the animation codec millions of colors plus? I don’t see this option. Also I have noticed when export to any type of file from FCP such as .mov or any others and open it in the flash video encoder or flash and try and save it as a flash video the resulting enoceded video is choppy and out of synced. Why would this be?

[Dean Steinmann]

twintrbrx7,

Go to: “file”, “export”, “using quicktime conversion”.

Then explore the “options” in the window that opens.

As for the compression issues, there are many reasons why your audio could be out of sync. Check out one of the compression forums here on the Cow for answers on this.

Regards,
Dean

[Twintrbrx7]

Ok, I know how to save a movie in animation, millions of colors plus now. How do I get this movie I exported to be transparent in Flash?

Thank you for your help.

[Dean Steinmann]

You will need to use a program like Squeeze. Export using the On2VP6 codec. For more info on that go to the compression techniques forum. I believe that Telestream Episode now supports alpha as well and there is a forum here on the cow for that.

Regards,
Dean

[Robert Sharpe]

Dean,
I purchased the Sorenson Squeeze Production Bundle and still couldn’t get the alpha channel to hold, so I went through the Sorenson Squeeze 4.5 Training DVD to see if I was forgetting something. It doesn’t really go into exporting with Alpha channel, so I’m back on the forum pestering you again.
I tried the 3 steps you listed, but am wondering if I’m missing something in the Animation step. I tried several approaches: I built sequences with DVCPro HD; with Uncompressed 8-bit, and with Animation Compressor settings. I then keyed out the green. Then I exported all 3 sequences through QT Conversion to Animation, Millions of Colors PLUS, however, when I tried to test by importing the files back into FCP and dropping into my timeline, none of them have an alpha channel (I put a colored background on layer 1). I also imported these files into Sorenson Squeeze, and compressed with the On2 VP6 codec, but when I tested in Sorenson flv player, there was no alpha. I’ve searched Sorenson’s help page and the creative cow compression forum, but am again back to you and the FCP forum.
Can you think of anything that I am forgetting or missing?
Thanks! Robert

[Dean Steinmann]

Hi Robert,

Not sure what happened Robert. Sounds like you took the right steps. Did you uncheck the “Prepare for Internet Streaming” box? Not sure if that would make a difference or not.

Our sequence presets are Apple Intermediate Codec 720p 30. We just did another today and it worked out just fine.

Sorry I couldn’t help further.

Regards,

Dean

[Robert Sharpe]

Dean,
Yeah – the Prepare for Streaming is unchecked. I set up my sequences at DVCPro HD; Uncompressed 8-bit, and Animation – all at 720p 24.
I’ll try to build a Sequence at the codec you use – Apple Intermediate Codec 720p 30, and see if that helps.
Thanks!
Robert

[Dean Steinmann]

Try that and see how it works, although I’m not convinced that this is the issue. Sequence settings shouldn’t make any difference at all.

Are you exporting from the timeline?

Dean