[Andrew Yoole]

All clips actually have a background, (typically black) but once the clip has an alpha then the black is removed. So don’t worry if you see black when you initially render and play the output file.

Render the file using the Render Queue’s Output Module labelled “Lossless Plus Alpha”. The text will appear to be on black but don’t worry.

Import the resulting clip to Premiere and make sure the clip transparency is set to “Alpha – premultiplied with black” or similar.

[Andrew Yoole]

This decision should be really easy for you, because you already know the format your client works in! Find out the broadcast specifications the client will require for the final product, and stick to that. Any editor or facilities person at the Station should be able to tell you – they probably have printed or web-based guidelines available for advertisers.

Already covered above a bit, but here’s a checklist:

Resolution, frame rate, interlaced/progressive, aspect ratio, 4:3 safe required? , tape delivery format.

Personally, I would do my presentation using the tape format you will ultimately be supplying them with. For example, if the client ultimately requires widescreen standard def NTSC pictures, with text 4:3 safe, supplied on Digi Beta, then THAT’S how I’d make my presentation. If they can’t provide you with a Digi Beta deck and a good widescreen monitor to present it, a half-day hire will cost you a few hundred bucks. You may have to take your uncompressed output files to a facility who can transfer them to tape if you don’t have the hardware yourself.

But in the end, you’ll be showing them EXACTLY what you can supply, and they’ll be impressed that you already know all their requirements. Plus, digi beta decks don’t drop frames, choke and die NEARLY as much as computers do.

[Andrew Yoole]

The little T checkbox next to the layer’s blending mode will also preserve transparency of the layer(s) beneath when it is applied.

The cows are looking at you because they are jealous of your hair conditioner. But not for long. Soon they will have all the conditioner they want.

Oh yes.

[Andrew Yoole]

Move your solid further back in Z space, and adjust it’s scale if necessary to fill the frame. If your rotating object is anchored in its centre, your solid will need to be at least half the width of your object away. So if the rotating object is 400 pixels wide, the solid will need to be at least 200 pixels behind it so they won’t intersect.

[Andrew Yoole]

If you’re casting shadows onto another layer – a Solid or background of some kind – are you sure the front layer is far enough in front of the back layer not to be passing THROUGH the back layer?

[Andrew Yoole]

When field interpretation is switched on for a footage item, you effectively only see half the resolution during still and RAM previews. AE normally turns interpretation on by default when you import QT footage of standard dimensions.

If you turn OFF field interpretation (File/Interpret Footage/Main) are you happier with what you see during previews?

Also, with interpretation left ON, are you happy with your final renders?

[Andrew Yoole]

If you use Mac, you can use Apple Compressor 2 (stupidly slow) or for great results try Nattress plugins for FCP.

https://www.nattress.com/standardsConversion.htm

For a cheap and not-terribly nasty conversion on Mac or PC, deinterlace PAL footage, then import to AE, interpret fields upper or lower (which helps to blend fields between frames), drop into NTSC comp, resize to fit and render (no fields).

[Andrew Yoole]

Just to clarify, CC Effects comes with both Standard and Professional AE, but NOT with any Educational versions.

[Andrew Yoole]

To create After Effects plugins you will need a reasonably strong background in appropriate programming skills, plus a programme language compiler appropriate to the Platform you are using. These requirements are all documented in Bruce Bullis’ Software Development Kit (SDK) for Adobe After Effects Plugins, which you can download free from here:

https://partners.adobe.com/public/developer/aftereffects/sdk/topic_6_5.html

[Andrew Yoole]

Do you have the latest version of Quicktime installed on the PC? If that doesn’t fix it, I suspect you’re gonna have to do the drive and use a more universal codec like Animation 100%.