Alpha Channel Help

Hi
I was wondering how did they get this alpha channel, is there a tutorial any one knows or just what technich its called cause i cant find a thing how they did it
http://hotfile.com/dl/57865326/b1bed5b/ShockBall.dds.html
I cant upload the image here or from imageshack as its in dds format, and changing its format it looses it alpha channel, i desperatly seek help to resolve this and really appreciate any kind of help

Generally speaking, you manage transparency in Photoshop by using a layer to contain your image elements, and either making the background invisible or deleting it.
There are a variety of ways to make parts of your image transparent. For example, you can use a layer mask to "hide" parts of it, or you can simply "delete" through parts of it. Photoshop will show you a "checkerboard" pattern through the transparent parts of your image, as shown here.
I'm not familiar with the .dds format, and I don't think Photoshop can save that format, but you can save an image such as this one with transparency (alpha channel) in a format such as Portable Network Graphics (.png), or Compuserve GIF (.gif). A quick search of the web turns up a number of converters claiming to be able to convert .png to .dds.
If you'd like to test with it, the above image, saved as a .png with transparency, can be found here:
http://images.prodigitalsoftware.com/Ball.png
-Noel

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I have been using these client supplied QT with alpha channel files just fine for weeks, then all of a sudden, after a crash the other day, I was unable to open sequences with these files and exoprt them, the exporter would just freeze. the clips played in the timeline, but VERY sluggish.
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These files worked fine just days ago!!!!
BTW, I just switched over to Premiere a few months ago and to honest I can't understand how anyone would stick with this buggy software, as a professional I've never used anything this bad before.

Welcome to the forum.
Try these. Attempt to re-import after each one:
Clean the media cache database via Edit | Preferences | Media
If step 2 doesn't work, then find all the .qtindex, .mpgindex, .cfa and .pek files associated with the media that's supposed to be in your project and delete them. Then clean the media cache database again.
Launch Pr and while it's launching, hold down the Alt + Shift keys until the Welcome screen appears. Alt resets your preferences and Shift resets the plug-in cache.
To address the other issues you say you've been having with Pr, you should start a different thread (or threads). Coming from other editors, there may be a difference in the way Pr does things that produce unexpected results that may be seen as bugs. More serious issues, such as crashes, can often be caused by 3rd-party hardware like AJA, Matrox or BlackMagic and the associated drivers. Outdated or incorrect drivers for audio and video cards can also cause problems. I recommend that you start troubleshooting those areas first.
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Adobe - Feature Request/Bug Report Form
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AppleScript copy alpha channel from one document to a second document

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tell application "Adobe Photoshop CS6"
set x to document 1
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set cc to number of channel of current document
repeat with i from 5 to cc
duplicate channel i of x to y
end repeat
end tell

I can now copy-paste text frames and linked graphics from one document to another using snippets, but embedded images still don't work.
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I'm writing a project that generates images with alpha channels, which I want to save in PNG format. Currently I'm using javax.ImageIO to do this, using statements such as:
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I'm using JDK 1.5.0_06, on Windows XP.
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[http://bugs.sun.com/bugdatabase/view_bug.do?bug_id=6215304|http://bugs.sun.com/bugdatabase/view_bug.do?bug_id=6215304]
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This isn't a solution, but rather a refinement of the issue.
Some of the sources I was reading were implying that the long save time might be due to a CPU heavy conversion process that had to take place before the BufferedImage could be saved. I decided to investigate:
I loaded back in one of the (slowly) saved PNG images using ImageIO.read(file). Sure enough, the BufferedImage returned differed from the BufferedImage I had created. The biggest difference was the color model, which was DirectColorModel on the image I was generating, and was ComponentColorModel on the image I was loading back in.
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     }My apologies if that doesn't display correctly in the post.
Basically, I create a BufferedImage the hard way, matching all the parameters of the image I get when I load in a PNG with alpha channel.
The last bit, (for simplicity), just makes sure I copy over the alpha channel of old image to the new image, and assumes the color was black. This doesn't make any real speed difference.
Now that runs lightning quick, but interestingly, see the bit I've commented out? The alternative to setting the ARGB values was to just draw the old image onto the new image. For a 640x512 image, this command (drawImage) took a whopping 36 SECONDS to complete! This may hint that the problem is to do with conversion.
Anyhow, I got rather excited. The conversion went quickly. Here's the rub though, the image took 9 seconds to save using ImageIO.write, just the same as if I had never converted it. :(
SOOOOOOOOOOOO... Why have I told you all this?
Well, I guess I think it narrows dow the problem, but eliminates some solutions (to save people suggesting them).
Bottom line, I still need to know why saving PNGs using ImageIO is so slow. Is there any other way to fix this, short of writing my own PNG writer, and indeed would THAT fix the issue?
For the record, I have a piece of C code that does this in well under a second, so it can't JUST be a case of 'too much number-crunching'.
I really would appreciate any help you can give on this. It's very frustrating.
Thanks again. Robert Redwood.

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<languageVersion : 1.0;>
kernel PixelReverse
<   namespace : "com.abc.def.filters";
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>
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I hope this is enough information for someone to be able to provide some help.
Thanks

Please make sure you have installed the latest graphics drivers, from http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us, for your graphics card.

How do I create or export a logo in Illustrator CS5 with an alpha channel to use in Final Cut Pro 6?

To anyone who can help:
I have created a logo using Illustrator CS5 and need to import it into a video sequence in Final Cut Pro 6. The logo has a transparent background. It seems FCP 6 will import both native .ai files as well as .tiff files, but when I open them in FCP 6, the alpha channel (transparent background) is no longer there; there is just the logo over a white background. Is there a setting or step I am missing?
Shaun MacLellan

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5. Drag the result into Final Cut (or Motion).
6. Resize and position the result to taste.
Attempting to export directly from AI to .PSD or .PNG is a wasted effort and the results may not even be recognized by Final Cut.
Yes, it requires Photoshop and it is a few extra steps...but it works like a charm.
Additionally, when creating a new file in Photoshop, you may want to initially set its size to match the aspect ratio of your video. For example, if you're making an HD video, you might set the size to 1280x720 and position the AI elements where they are supposed to be in frame. You can set the AI elements in accurately by cutting and pasting a frame from your video into Photoshop and positioning the AI elements in place on another layer above the video layer. Delete the video layer before saving out as a .PNG or .PSD and it will appear in Final Cut exactly where it should be.

How do I save a PNG file with an alpha channel in Photoshop CS5?

I have a PNG file created in Photoshop and I need to save it with an alpha channel for web purposes. I tried 'Save for Web & Devices' and selecting the Transparent box. Then, after saving, when I select 'get info' for the file it says there is no alpha channel. I'm stumped I can't seem to create an alpha channel from within Photoshop while I'm editing. Help!

If you save as a 24bit png with transparent checked photoshop will save the png with transparent background (ie alpha transparency). The png will appear transparent in a web browser.

Keys in CS-5 - Save Alpha Channel AVI

Hello. I go shoot keys with green screen. On Location is good for some of that, but I have to remember to adjust the sound level next time. To show kids who did the scripts, I used the CS3 Ultra to quick ket a sample and dump on a background like we plan to use.
When I get into Premiere CS-5 I want to pick the take I like, trim the ends, key to transparent and save as an AVI with alpha channel. Liked the Ultra keyer when it was separate, but not sure about CS5 one, as controls were better organized in the CS3 version **.
1) Do I need to set up a line on timeline as alpha channel, in order to save same? If so which one? These are just keyed person with clear BK.
2) Please help me with the settings so someone who makes the final steps, I think in another program, can open up the AVI files and have a good key to finish off. So far I haven't found one that will let me tick alpha channel to save.
**Yes i should find the Premiere fix list and ask for an ULTRA pop up of the CS3 design, if they are going to keep in Premiere.
3 PS) Does Adobe have a set of books for the CS5 programs? When i got CS3 they offered me a deal to take the books. Saved me many times to be able to flip pages to find answers. Even a PDF of same might speed things along.

Look here for the steps to export an AVI with alpha: exporting video with an alpha channel (transparency)
I don't think you'll ever see Ultra as a standalone program again, as it's now integrated into Premiere Pro as an effect. I never used Ultra CS3, as I thought it was too rinky-dink, but the CS5 version is quite nice and easy-to-use (and get a great key) in most instances. It's not bulletproof, but Keylight in AE takes care of the more troublesome keys.
You can download a PDF of the help document for a particular application by going to the online version of the help docs, and clicking the PDF link in the upper-right corner. You can get Premiere Pro CS5's PDF right here: Adobe Premiere Pro CS5
You should also have the Community Help application installed along with the CS5 suite. If it doesn't open when you hit F1 within your app of choice, it should be available in the suite's application folder. It works well, and the help is updated frequently.

Resolution, audio, alpha channel, and backup questions (newbie)

Hello!
Well, after a few weeks of fidgeting around with FCE, I've come up with quite a few questions:
Image/Audio questions
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This clip is essentially an imitation of the opening of the movie "Home Alone", where the screen begins blue, and as it zooms out, you see it's a stylized house, which zooms out to a tiny size. That's essentially the effect I'm going for.
Audio/Video sync issue
C. Some of the clips I've imported from old iMovie projects are a little out of sync. It's not a conversion issue, but an issue with bad editing on my part . So, I have a still image that's about 1.5 seconds too short - it cuts to the next still, which is 1.5 seconds too long. I've added edit points at both ends of the out-of-sync clip, so that I have a 1.5 second clip, with its own audio and video.
The problem is that the audio is perfect, but the video is bad. So, I need to replace the video, without changing the audio. How is this done?
D. Sometimes, I'll end up with either audio or video that's not quite right after importing a movie. However, FCE locks them together. Is there a way to unlock them so that I can change either? Essentially, is there a way to change the audio and video from one clip into two seperate clips?
E. Can I export a single clip or two only? (eg - the same as the "Share selected clips only" check box the iMovie's share menu)
Alpha channel/marquee question:
In one idea I had for this short, I have a still image (and some video) where I'd like to highlight a small area in one part of the image. In one part, it's a small object in the background that I'm highlighting. If you've seen a documentary where they have a group photo, and highlight the face of one particular person, that's the effect I'm going for.
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In addition: (alpha-video)
is there a way to turn part of a video into an alpha channel, so that it's transparent in the final movie? It's not so much a solid color (as the bluescreen/chroma key technique would need), but more of background. For example, I would like to take some footage of my family walking in front of trees, remove the background, and place an entirely different video/still in. Is that possible?
Backup: FInal question:
I have my source media organized fairly well on my external drive. However, if my drive should die, It would be incredibly tedius to re-link all the files. (I do have a fairly current backup of the external files). Not to mention finding the orignal capture files, re-timing the project, and so on. The project file itself is probably the easiest to back up.
So, how do you back up EVERYTHING? Some projects may have hundreds of files, all over my external drive. Is there some easy way to back up all the files into a single place, like a single folder or DVD, so that if my drive should fail, all the files are in one spot?
I can export them back to a miniDV tape, but I don't have that many, plus they're $5 a pop. I can do this with Toast, but I'll likely end up missing some out-of-the-way files. If only .Mac's Backup had a Final Cut preset.....
I know that's a BUNCH of stuff up there, so if you can help with any of them, i'd be appreciative.
Thanks,
Daniel
15" 1.67 Powerbook G4 (non-HiRes), Slot loading iMac DV SE Mac OS X (10.4.7) 1G RAM on PB, 384 MB iMac.

Try breaking these up into separate questions. Easier to answer and easier to be found by someone searching for answers to the same question.

Using video with alpha channel

I purchased a video clip from istock, the video clip is an .mov and has a alpha channel included. The video clip is santa clause over a black background and tagged at the end is a white solid of the video (I assume this is the alpha channel) How do I use the alpha channel to help key out the vidoe clip that I need. here is a link to the actual video clip I purchased. http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-video-11011749-santa-claus-with-alpha-channel-ntsc.php
Thanks Ja

As Szalam said, the b/w image can be used as a luma matte.
Also check if the actual piece of footage has an embedded alpha channel, i.e when you import it AE should know there is an alpha channel and let you know in the top of the project window when you select the element (or "interpret footage").
Alternatively just drag the footage to a comp and enable the checkerboard background to see if there is transparency. These three approaches are the same...just different ways of finding out about the alpha channel.

Problem with Alpha Channel

The top level track on my project contains an alpha channel. However, being the top level track the tracks below it are invisible.
I have read the "Compositing, alpha channels, and adjusting clip opacity" page. It tells me that I "can choose how to interpret the alpha channel in a file in the Interpret Footage dialog box. Choose Invert Alpha Channel to swap areas of opacity with areas of transparency, or choose Ignore Alpha Channel to not use the alpha channel information at all."
However, when I do this (ie. inverse the alpha channel in the asset) I get the following before and after results:
Summary of goal: I want to adjust the transparency of the top track so that the lower tracks appear.
Help.

If you want to adjust the transparency of a clip, you modify its Opacity property.
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Flash Player for FLV files with alpha channel encoded

My goal is to play the the transparent background flash video on the bottom right hand corner similar to the video on this website : http://www.dropshipblueprint.com/
I already have the FLV file with alpha channel encoded. I was made to understand I will need a special flash player that can read alpha channel in the flv file to make the background transparent? Is this correct? If yes, then how to accomplish this or where do I get that player, maybe opensourece player? If the player is not a solution then how do I accomplish my end objective taking into consideration I have the FLV file with the alpha channel encoded. Thanks for your help. Sam

Sam,
Welcome to the forum.
Where do you need to play this "sprite" (the name for such a Flash video)?
If you need to add that to a Video, then there could be a few challenges in PrE.
If you need to add it to a Web site, then Flash Player (free from Adobe) should be able to display that.
Can you please give us just a bit more info, on how you wish to use the sprite?
Good luck,
Hunt

Question: Quick Look in Finder; problems with alpha channels

Hi
"Quick look" in Finder is great for quick presentations of a folders selected contents but it only works with images that contains no alpha channels or masks. Is there any way to work around this to display say PhotoShop documents with alpha channels? Or any plug-ins/applications that can help?
thanks.

This has been broken forever in OS X, and I don't know why, because it used to work just fine. I suspect the engineers did something to QuickTime that causes this problem, but it has been borked for so long I don't remember when the ability to correctly display files went wrong. I just remember that once upon a time all sorts of things from Apple worked correctly in displaying such files, but pretty much nothing does now. This includes the Finder, Preview, QuickLook, and various third-party image browsers that use Apple's own system level image handling abilities, such as VitaminSee or CocoaViewX. When I need to actually see what's there, I browse with Adobe's Bridge.
Francine
Francine
Schwieder

Bluff Titler Alpha Channel problem

Hi
I have made a video file using Bluff Titler. I have exported it with tranparency, but I cannot get the alpha channel to work inside PPRO CS 6.03...
Has anybody tried this with Bluff Titler and would be so kind to share their workflow?
Thanks
/Ulf

have you tried this ?? read the help file at your bluff titler website ?
=======pasted from help =======
4 TRANSPARENCY
BluffTitler can create AVI files with transparency information (RGBA, or AVI with alpha channel). You can do this by selecting Uncompressed AVI with transparency in the File/Export as Movie... dialog. This is very useful if you want to overlay your titles onto your videos, but unfortunately not all video tools can import AVIs with transparency, so try using AVI without transparency if your NLE starts complaining about not being able to read your AVI file.
BluffTitler allows you to export your BT show as compressed AVI with transparency info. This combination of compression and transparency is rare and not many encoders and NLEs support it.
======end paste ========

Alpha Channel Help

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