Combining video with a alpha-matte

Hey all,
I am working with video for the first time.
I downloaded a nice video file from iStockphoto of a butterfly floating across the screen (white background) that included the second half of the video as the alpha-matte for the butterfly so that the background can be transparent, allowing the butterfly to float over other content in Flash.
My question is, is there a way to combine the two halves of the video to get a FLV file of my butterfly with a transparent background other than using After Effects, Final Cut Pro or Premiere (none of which I have) or am I sort of screwed on this one?
Does the Media Encoder have this capability and I'm just not seeing it?
Thanks for all your help in advance,
pixelgal

Similar Messages

Motion tile a video with an alpha channel

Hi!
I'm trying to use the motion tile effect to fill transparent edges that are the result of stabilization with the prodad mercalli plugin. The problem is however that because the stabilization hasn't been done using keyframe movement in AE, it sees the transparent edges as part of the frame and applies the motion tile so that the transparent areas stay intact. In other words the motion tile effect doesn't see that the image is moving around because only the alpha channel is changing.
Is there any smart ways to solve this problem in AE so that I can apply the motion tile effect to get rid of the alpha transparency around the edges of the stabilized footage?
Any help will be appreciated!

Hi and thank you for helping out!
Unfortunately I didn't get this to work with shift channels. I'm not sure what you meant by separating the components? I put shift channels on the videoclip and told it to use alpha from the video of the alpha.
Actually I'm a bit confused on why shift channels should help. The way I see it, the problem is that the "motion tile" effect is seeing the "whole" pixel dimension of the video that also includes the alpha channel and is applying itself to the whole frame instead of just the opaque area (the actual stabilized video). Because of that the motion tile effect is tiling the whole frame, including the alpha of it which leaves transparent gaps between the two tiles.
Maybe there was a miscommunication between us or should I just try the shift channels effect again? If that's the case, then could you explain what you mean by separating components?
Thank you very much!

How to export a video with an alpha channel that can be switched off

Hi!
I'm stuck with something that I think might have a simple solution:
I need my video to have an alpha channel while still keeping all the RGB information in place too. This is for Syntheyes, which can take the alpha channel for a video and use it as a garbage matte while tracking.
The problem is that if I draw a mask around my video and then export as a PNG (with alpha), the RGB information seems to be gone even when I choose to ignore the alpha channel. I know how to edit the alpha channel in Photoshop while still keeping the RGB elements untouched, but how should I do that in AE?
Any help will be appreciated!

Okay I will answer my own question:
This worked as soon as I did a proper export as a PNG image sequence. I did my tests with only single frames by using the "save frame as file" -function, which did not work properly (the rbg information was gone).
So the simple solution to this question was:
Draw a mask on the video layer and export with alpha. The RGB will be there, even though the mask hides it in AE.

Combine video with .srt file

I've downloaded this file from Google Video, got its .srt file too, and need to burn a disk with the two in one. You know, not just burn the .avi/.mpg and the .srt, then ask friends to use VLC or something similar to watch. I need to find a way to 'burn' the .srt subtitles onto the video itself, then make a DVD of the finished product.
I remember someone had suggested once that I use Handbrake to do that, so I got it, but couldn't for the life of me figure out how to do that. Anybody knows? Or does anyone know of another utility, even iMovie HD 6 itself (although I very much doubt it...) that could do the trick?
Many thanks, people.

I'm not familiar with .srt files, they are mainly .txt files with a very elaborated structure... but "TitleLab" claims to convert .srt files into something, you can use in combo with QTpro... I think, there's a How-To in the download included...
you get it TitleLab download here for free..

Combining video with still pics

Hello.
I want to create a movie where I've input video, then cut back and forth between the video and some still pics but utilizing the soundtrack from the video all the while having the uninterrupted soundtrack from the video play...make sense?
Any suggestions would be very grateful.
Thanks!
Mike

Hello, Michael,
What you want to do is 'Paste Over at Playhead' each of your still photos onto the video track so that the photo replaces the video, but not the audio. It works great and you can easily do this by following the directions in your iMovie Help file.
Basically, you put your movie into the 'Timeline' view and then split the video at the point where you want the photo to start and thenThe audio will appear underneath the video track.
You then put the photos over the clip and the movie will play the video and audio with the photo in it instead of that video clip.
Here are the instructions from the Help:
+*Inserting video clips or photos in a passage while maintaining running audio*+
+You can paste a new video clip or photo over an existing clip while retaining the audio from the original clip. The video cuts away to a new picture, but you continue to hear the sound from the original clip.+
+To replace images in a clip while maintaining running audio:+
+Choose iMovie HD > Preferences, and then click General.+
+Select the "Extract audio when using Paste Over at Playhead" checkbox.+
+Select the video or photo that you want to insert.+
+Choose Edit > Cut or Copy.+
+Do one of the following:+
+To paste the entire video you selected in step 3, position the playhead at the first frame to be replaced. When you paste the clip, it will replace a portion of video equal to its length.+
+To paste over a specific segment of your movie, select the part of the video clip you want to paste over. (To learn more about selecting part of a video clip, see Related Topics below.)+
+If the video you're pasting is longer than the selected frame range, the excess video will not be pasted. If the video you're pasting is shorter than the selected frame range, the extra space will be filled with a color clip (or the still image, if you paste a still image).+
+Choose Advanced > "Paste Over at Playhead."+
+The audio track of the original video is retained and appears in audio track 1 of the timeline viewer.+
Post back if this does not work

Export as Quicktime Video - with alpha

I'm having trouble figuring out how to export an animation
I've created in Flash as a Quicktime Video with transparent (alpha
channel) background. My client wants to import it into Final Cut
and have it play over a video track.
I've used the "export movie" feature in flash with the
following settings. (I have Quicktime Pro installed.)
Format: 32 bit color (alpha channel)
Compressor: Animation
Quality Default setting
Sound 44Hz
Maybe there's nothing wrong with my export settings... maybe
I need to specify a layer in my flash movie as the alpha channel? I
can't find any documentation to help!
Anyone have a clue?
See an example-->
http://www.element-group.net/brini/trans_vertical.html
The white background will need to me transparent to reveal
the video track.
Thanks,

I forgot to say that making the Flash track transparent is an
intermediate step.
After that, import the .mov to Final Cut.
QuickTIme can only support Flash content of Flash 5 and
under.
Do you realize that QuickTime 7.1.3 has "Enable Flash" off by
default. To see Flash tracks in QT player or browser plug-in, you
now have to open the QT Preferences or settings, click Advanced Tab
and check "Enable Flash".
However, if you just want to get Flash content as an
animation in Final Cut, here is a good article that helped me do
it.
Migrating Flash Projects to Video
http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flash/articles/flash_to_video_02.html
I'm working on one now, work-in-progress at:
http://tinyurl.com/hpare
The heart fountain and the animated logo at the end were both
made in Flash.

I have a short 3d video with a separate black/white alpha pass, how can I use the alpha pass as a mask?

I have a short 3d video with a separate black/white alpha pass, how can I use the alpha pass as a mask? I want to add a heat wave distortion to the whole video but not on the alpha pass area. How do I set this up?

Track matte:
http://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/alpha-channels-masks-mattes.html#track_mattes_a nd_traveling_mattes
Start here to learn After Effects:
http://adobe.ly/AE_basics

How to combine sound with video to an AVI Using IMAQ?

I need to combine sound with video I capture and write it out as an AVI. Is there anyway in Labview to combine sound with and AVI? Or an easy to use third party product?

Hello,
The AVI tools that are provided with Vision allow for data to be added to your video. Sound information can be stored this way, but if you are looking for a way to add audio support to your video (such that it will play the sound file when the video is played in Windows Media Player or other applications) you may want to look into finding a shareware or freeware product that can accomplish this. LabVIEW does not have tools specifically targetted to this operation.
Good luck,
Robert

Video resolution with Sony Alpha 7 is very bad

Hi!
The Videoresolution in PSE 13 Organizer is very bad. Looks like the Videos were made with a cheap mobile-phone.
Video playback works fine with every other Programm on my PC, for example VLC or Media Player, but when i try to view these Videos with PSE 13 they look awful - unsharp and blurry - same in Premiere Elements 13.
Have already tried to install Codec-Pack for Win 7, but no changes.
Maybe PSE uses a wrong codec? If so, how can i change this?
Camera is Sony Alpha 7, OS is Win 7, Graphichs card is CPU-built-in Intel-HD3000(don´t know if this matters?) with newest Drivers.
File extension is .mts, format is AVCHD (1920*1080) full HD.
*edit: maybe it´s helpful if i mention that CPU load is about 30-40% in PSE 13 compared to ~6% when using VLC or Media Player when playing these videos.
I would be grateful for any suggestions.
edit*
after some research:
let me clarify the problem: is there ANY WAY TO CHOOSE THE CODEC PSE 13 uses for videos??

Hi,
It is by design and we have no option to change it.
However, we can use Pan Control to enlarge and move around the screen.
Pan Control: The pan control enables the screen to be enlarged and moved around.
Enable the pan control: Tap the pan icon in the connection bar to display the pan control and zoom the screen.
Use the pan control: Tap and hold the pan control and then drag in the direction you want to move the screen.
Move the pan control: Double tap and hold the pan control to move the control on the screen.
Disable the pan control: Tap the pan icon in the connection bar to return the screen to its original resolution.
Thanks for your understanding.
Jeremy Wu
TechNet Community Support

Can't export MPEG-2 with alpha matte

Can't export an .mpeg 2 with an alpha from after effects using media encoder. Is there a way to do this? The editor I am working with only accepts MPEG 2 for his lower thirds.
Unfortunately I do not have a choice of formats and have to export MPEG 2 with an alpha. Easy enough with QuickTime and .Avi but have not seen an option with MPEG 2 in either after effects or encoder.

No prob's
1. Ensure that compressor is installed on your system.
2. Export the sequence as a Quicktime movie using sequence settings.
3. Launch compressor and bring your exported sequnce in, now you can apply one of the presets and, over time, read the manual and understand all of the subtleties of compression.
Tony

Can I turn greenscreen video into video with transparent background (instead of default black backgr

Can I turn greenscreen video into video with transparent background to overlay on another video in another program. probably export as avi. I know I can in after effects but comfortable with premiere. basically want to turn the greenscreen from a black to transparent background ppro cs6 windows
[ email address removed by forum host ]

Harm is correct. It would be better to edit in the program where you keyed out the green. However, if you really must ...
DPX is one file per frame. While you may not be able to open it from Windows, it is only because Windwos has not been told to open them in Photoshop.
The whole point of the DPX file is to have a visually lossless storage of your frames that is designed to be used between applications (just what you want to do): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Picture_Exchange
However, if you prefer to use another option that you are more comfortable with, you can use PNG.
Or...
If you insist on a single video, use the Animation codec for Quicktime.
In any case, you need a picture format or video CODEC that can store an Alpha Channel.
Or.....
Export the video with the black and use a Luma key in the next application.
Or ...
Export the video with the black, and then export a video of just the alpha channel as a blabk and white image where black is transparent when used as a track matte, and then in the next application use the video of the alpha channel as a track matte.
Since you haven't said what the other application is or why you want to use it, we are having a little trouble offering a specific solution.

How can I create a video with a transparent backgound?

I rendered out an image sequence out of 3DS Max as png files with alpha channels. It is of the earth rotating. I want to export it so when it is brought into power point, all the space around the globe is transparent. How can I do this?
Thanks,
Dean

Sorry--overlooked that since it wasn't capitalized.
Anyway, you'll have to see what formats PowerPoint accepts that can include alpha (if that's even possible). For sure, On2 VP6 won't work, and QuickTime probably will not; the only likelihood is the uncompressed AVI option, and even then, that's a long shot.
The following suggests alpha channels are accepted in PowerPoint (including PNGs), but only with images, and not videos: PowerPoint and Alpha Channels - indezine.com - Graphics Presentations

I have a macbook 13" late 2009 and would like to connect my TV to macbook to view video with sound. What cable do I need to mack work?

I have a macbook 13" late 2009 operating system OS10.9.2.
I would like to connect my macbook to my TV . I have connected a mini DVI / HDMI cable to my tv which works for the picture but have no sound.
How do I get the sound to work?
Thanks

When you connect the MacBook using a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI adapter you will probably need to use external speakers or a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack to RCA sound plugs connected to a stereo sound system if your TV doesn't have separate RCA input plugs or a 3.5mm stereo input plug for audio with the HDMI plug. The Mini DisplayPort to HDMI doesn't carry audio unless you have the Mid 2010 model 7,1 and there're no audio plugs on most TVs to work with HDMI since it's expecting audio with the HDMI. But check your TV manual to see if it has audio plugs that work with one of the HDMI ports.
If you have the Late 2008 model 5,1 Aluminum Unibody or Late 2009 model 6,1 White Unibody with the Mini DisplayPort rather than the Mini-DVI there is an adapter that uses the Mini DisplayPort and a USB port to combine video and audio to HDMI. It's only 2 channel stereo not 5.1 Dolby Surround.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10428&cs_id=1042802 &p_id=5969&seq=1&format=2

Having a hard time lining up the audio to the video with FCPX.

Hi there
I'm having a hard time lining up the audio to the video with FCPX.
I'll just advise what I am doing.
I have recorded video of me playing bass guitar along to a song.
I have recorded the video in 720p with a DSLR.
I have recorded the bass guitar audio directly into Garageband (Using a USB interface) on a separate track to the song that I am playing along to. (It is played very well and is not out of time to the original)
I then mix the original song and the new bass guitar audio played by myself and export as an AIF in Garageband.
I import the video from the DSLR and AIF audio into Final Cut Pro X (10.0.5)
I can get the audio and video NEARLY bang on to timing, but its still ever so slightly off. As its ever so ever so slightly off it looks like I'm not really playing the bass guitar myself.
I'm moving the audio intricately but I just cant seem to get it lined up EXACTLY.
My camera picked up a tiny bit of audio so I can hear and see the audio wav on the video track to try and line it up with the audio wav of the AIF, but no matter what I just cant get it to line up and look exactly right.
Can anyone offer any advise or tips?
Thanks

Make sure you have Snapping switched off.
Expand the timeline to see the detail.
Rather than lining it up manually you could try the Automatic Audio Synch if there is any audio on the original video.

I'm using the latest photoshop cc 2014 with most updated camera raw... i am having A LOT/REPEATED trouble getting files to "synch" with corrections, no matter what i options i select (i.e. "everything")... WTH is wrong with me/my computer/adobe?! help. fa

I'm using the latest photoshop cc 2014 with most updated camera raw... i am having A LOT/REPEATED trouble getting files to "synch" with corrections, no matter what i options i select (i.e. "everything")... WTH is wrong with me/my computer/adobe?! help. fast. please

BOILERPLATE TEXT:
Note that this is boilerplate text.
If you give complete and detailed information about your setup and the issue at hand,
such as your platform (Mac or Win),
exact versions of your OS, of Photoshop (not just "CS6", but something like CS6v.13.0.6) and of Bridge,
your settings in Photoshop > Preference > Performance
the type of file you were working on,
machine specs, such as total installed RAM, scratch file HDs, total available HD space, video card specs, including total VRAM installed,
what troubleshooting steps you have taken so far,
what error message(s) you receive,
if having issues opening raw files also the exact camera make and model that generated them,
if you're having printing issues, indicate the exact make and model of your printer, paper size, image dimensions in pixels (so many pixels wide by so many pixels high). if going through a RIP, specify that too.
etc.,
someone may be able to help you (not necessarily this poster, who is not a Windows user).
a screen shot of your settings or of the image could be very helpful too.
Please read this FAQ for advice on how to ask your questions correctly for quicker and better answers:
http://forums.adobe.com/thread/419981?tstart=0
Thanks!

Combining video with a alpha-matte

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for