Exporting sequence with alpha channels

[KathrynWilkins]

Hey!

So i'm trying to export a sequence with alpha channels so i can overlay it onto a background. I unchecked background and exported it but when i took it into after effects, the alpha channels weren't working. It was just a big black background...
helllllp.

[Paul Fierlinger]

You are not giving enough information. What format is your sequence? What mode? Are you using 24 bits or 32? Only 32bits carries an Alpha channel.

[slowtiger]

Always choose RGBA (instead of just RGB) in your export settings, and select a codec which supports alpha, like PNG with Millions+ colours.

[KathrynWilkins]

Here's my export settings.

still no alpha channel.

[Paul Fierlinger]

I tested your settings and they work. I didn't test in AE, but in NLE Vegas. I had to set the Vegas propertied to alpha and that was it. Which version of TVP do you have?

[KathrynWilkins]

hmmm
strange
i have TVP 9 Pro

I exported as an mov and a sequence as a psd.

it's not working.


ugh, this is slowly stressing me out.

[Paul Fierlinger]

I'm on TVP 10.

[ZigOtto]

... ugh, this is slowly stressing me out.

try exporting your sequence in PNG32, it's my favorite format when it goes to export in 32bit.

[Paul Fierlinger]

Kathryn, can you use another format besides QT? PNG should work everywhere.

[Mads Juul]

Are you sure after effects interpret the alpha channel correct? In afx project window you can right click the footage and set the alpha to multiply.

[KathrynWilkins]

Ah, ok so i exported a sequence as a png and THAT reserves the alpha channel.

IS there a way to export a video file with alpha channels and overlay it in aftereffects over a background?

[chatbraque]

Yes… the exact same way

(in Ae, just put the folder that contains your png's in the "project part" and add it to your comp… you'll get a new overlaying layer)

[KathrynWilkins]

ah
that'as what i ended up doing.

thanks guys for everything.

[Fabrice]

One remark though :

The deal with quicktime is inside the codec settings.

Quicktime can not manage the alpha chanel if you compress in some specific formats (like mp4, etc ...)
So if you want to keep the alpha chanel with Quicktime, you have to save uncompressed sequences.

so Kathryn, maybe by using the "config" button and enter in of the quicktime codec config, you might solve the problem.

[Keep Shooting]

On AE and QT alpha: exchanging animationfiles with an other company, I used tiff sequences with alpha instead. They told me the AE-version before the latest one has a 'known bug': QT alpha is not recognised.

On QT alpha in TVPAP 10: I would like to import movies with alpha (camera views of a layerd backgrounds that still need further editing) back into another TVPAP project. So I just made some tests with the QT alpha, uncompressed 10 bit 4:2:2 as wel as uncompressed 8 bit 4:2:2 and it is not working. Even choosing 'alpha only' in the import options does not show any alpha at all with the QT's.
AVI (internal) alpha is working fine though!

Kathryn, good chance AVI (internal) works in AE too.
Good luck, Conny