PNG-24 Transparency Issue

[Alan Smith]

[Raven Plenty] “If I do a PSD file, it comes in stretched, unless I actually set up the Photoshop document with the DVDPRO HD pixel aspect ratio.”

You have to create the PSD with the correct pixel aspect ratio. Otherwise FCP is going to manipulate the image to fit.

If you use the correct settings in Photoshop, when you import the file into FCP it creates the .psd file as a sequence. If you double click the file, it opens the sequence and you can see each individual layer on separate tracks. You can adjust the parameters for each layer using the viewers motion tab to change aspect ratio via distort, scale, etc. Essentially you are creating a nested sequence when you load the .psd image into your timeline.

TIF files need to be merged or flattened and the alpha channel applied in order for them to come into FCP with a working alpha. This is done in Photoshop by merging all layers, selecting your selection tool, command-a to select all, hit the down arrow to cause your selection to include only the image, click the channels tab next to layers, and add an alpha by using the buttons on the bottom. Save the file as a .tif and import into FCP.

Alan Smith
Media317

Check out my blog – https://media317.com

[Nicole Haddock]

Actually, TIFF files work fine with layers. I do all my graphics in TIFF with Alpha Channels and keep the layers for editing later if needed.

[Nicole Haddock]

When you say Transparency, did you run the Video Action for creating an Alpha channel? Having a transparent background in Photoshop isn’t enough for FCP to understand- you have to create an Alpha channel. I just imported a .PNG that was originally a .TIFF with an Alpha channel, and it imported fine into FCP.

[Raven Plenty]

Thanks for the info about TIF files needing alpha channels – that transparent backgrounds are not enough. And perhaps PSD is the way to go for any of our graphics. I seem to recall some issue I had with PSD in the past, but don’t remember what it was. Also, for what it’s worth – maybe not much – the PNGs don’t require aspect ratio conversion. FCP seems to “get it” and handle it fine, whereas PSD has to be set up properly or else, which I can do, but I’m just saying.

None of this addresses the bizarre PNG-24 issue I’m having though. Is there an answer other than “you should use PSD instead”?

Thanks for your input.

[Nicole Haddock]

Actually, the PNG file needs an Alpha channel (as does a .TIFF). Make sure there’s only one Alpha. If there’s 2, FCP won’t know what to do.

[Raven Plenty]

[Nicole Haddock] “Actually, the PNG file needs an Alpha channel (as does a .TIFF). Make sure there’s only one Alpha. If there’s 2, FCP won’t know what to do. “

But the other 4 layers worked, and they’ve always worked for me until this one layer. I’m simply hiding and revealing each layer as needed, then exporting a PNG for each layer via Save For Web.

[Rich Rubasch]

I never save an alpha with a PNG file when you save for Web and choose PNG 24.

I just wrote this update to my workflow at my blog found at https://www.tiltmedia.com

I used to do the Pict file with alpha and saved alpha into the alpha channel blah blah blah.

Now it’s PNG 24s for me. But not sure what was the issue with your file.

Rich Rubasch
Tilt Media

[Nicole Haddock]

Do you have a mask on that particular layer?

For grins, just try making an alpha channel for that layer, and then bringing it into FCP. I know it’s now how you’ve been doing it, but it may work. Crazier things have happened.

[Raven Plenty]

Thanks Nicole but it didn’t work. I believe Alpha channels are not included in PNG files anyway. My impression is that PNG-24 files are supposed to work fine, and that this is just some weird anomaly. I can do a TIF with Alpha channel, or a PSD file – just was hoping I might learn the cause of this issue.

Ah well, thanks all for your input.

[Rafael Amador]

[Raven Plenty] ” Just the one layer is messed up. See that attached screenshots to see what I mean. “
Make sure that all the corners of all the layer have some color information.
If there is any fully transparent corner, pint few pixels.
For multilayer stills IMO PSD files are the best option.
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com