help with track matte

[Steve Roberts]

Hmm … normally:

1. For luma matte, the B/W matte layer should be above the footage layer. Set the matte of the footage layer to luma matte to appear within a white shape, or inverted luma matte to appear within a black shape.
2. For alpha matte, the layer with alpha (check its interpretation in the project window — it may not have been created with an alpha) should be on top, while the footage layer set below, with its matte set to alpha (or inverted alpha) matte.

Note: adjustment layers should normally not be used in this situation. Just in case you’re doing that.

It’s also possible that a shy (hidden) layer lies between the matte and footage — have you checked that?

[Stuart Elith]

Well, your concept is sound – PSD files DO have inherent alpha if it is part of the file. This can then be used with alpha trk. When you say you can’t use Alpha, do you mean that when you select it, it doesn’t work as you expected?

You may have done something a bit wrong when you imported the psd file. Check it in AE with the transparent background in your comp viewer, to confirm that the alpha is indeed working correctly with the PSD.

[Rick Morton]

Thanks.
Yes…. the psd layer is not working in the alpha mode at all. All I see is a black shape. I’m using a transparent layer out of PS. WHen saving it, as I normally would, I assume it automatically has an alpha… plus it shows in the comp as a transparent layer with a black shape, so it must have an alpha. I’m getting black and white, semi-transparent footage when I select Luma Inv…. which is the only way I can see the image in the shape.