No alpha channel when BCC lens flare applied

Hello
With the help of Andy Neil, I created a light sweep for a lighthouse logo. I added a BCC RT Lens Flare Adv filter to enhance the effect of the light sweeping past the viewer. I looked great.
Then I got to thinking that the lighthouse logo with light sweep would make a great lower third, so I scaled it down to logo bug size and superimposed it over a lower third background.
The problem is that the inclusion of the BCC Lens Flare filter seems to add a black layer over the entire movie so that the lower third cannot superimpose over my talking head. I know it's the BCC Lens Flare because when I deactivate the filter and export, the alpha channel is present and the lower third is superimposed over the footage.
I've tried exporting with Lossless+Movie Alpha and Animation,
My question: Can anyone tell me why this is happening and how I might be able to remedy?
Thank you,
Blake

Yes, the lens flare is the problem. The generator is rendered as a blend mode which blends only with the elements in the project. The blend doesn't export as transparency because a blend mode is only transparent when combined with another layer.
Here are your solutions:
1) Composite the lower thirds with the video in Motion. If the bkg layer is in Motion, then the ADD blend mode applied to the lens flare will work properly.
2) Create an alpha matte layer. This requires you to create a black and white image of your project that defines transparency for your lower 3rd. Export that as well, and then do a Composite Mode-Luma in FCP.
3) Apply a Luma Key to your lens flare before export. This works, but is imperfect because the filter will inevitably key out some of the not-so-bright aspects of the lens flare, leaving you with a diminished result.
4) (My Suggestion): Apply the lens flare in FCP. FCP contains the SAME lens flare generator used by Motion. This will give you the best possible result with the least amount of extra work on your part.
Andy

Similar Messages

Alpha channel when not premultiplied

Hello,
I've got an image which has unassociated alpha channel (So each RGB sample isn't premultiplied with the corresponding Alpha sample).
I try to create a PDF so I create an XObject for my RGB samples, I add a soft mask for the Alpha stream and associate this Alpha with my main XObject.
When it's premultiplied I add a /Matte array for this soft mask but in this case I expected not to add one but without I get completely wrong output so I added it.
Is it possible to create a PDF without modifying my main image's data ? (without pre-blending)
In order to illustrate what I'm experiencing :
Expected output :
Current output :
Thanks for your help.

Thanks for the suggestion Teddy. We will add it to the list
of things to take a look at adding in a future release.

Procedure for Integrating Alpha Channel when saving as .dds file

Hello,
I'll try to keep this brief but that may be tough...
One project I use Photoshop CS4 for is painting aircraft used with Microsoft Flight Simulator X (FSX). Here is some background for folks who aren't familiar with this.
Each aircraft is downloaded as a "Paint Kit". The kits look much like the "trees" that plastic aircraft model kit pieces come attached to (see picture below).
I paint and add layers onto the kit until the aircraft resembles the design I chose. The paint kit includes a background, base parts usually in white, and an assortment of layers adding physical wear, shading, lines and rivets you see on actual aircraft.
Additionally, the kit includes an RGB Alpha Channel and Specular Maps. In this application, the Alpha channel provides the reflectivity or gloss on the aircraft paint. The Specular maps provide a sheen much like the subtle reflections you see from a metal flake paint job when the sun hits it directly.
Once all painting and manipulation is complete, the kit is "cut" into specific sizes. Once the kit is cut, each section is saved as a DDS file using NVidia tools. The resulting DDS files are placed into folders within the main FSX program folder. The FSX program "assembles" the sections and processes the different layers and channels resulting in aircraft that are incredibly detailed and realistic.
My problem is I don't know how to properly integrate and preserve the Alpha channel during the "Flatten Image" and when saving the file as a dds file. As you can see in the "Layers" section in the picture, the Alpha channel is already made. I just don't know what to do with it to preserve it and ensure the reflectivity it provides is visible in the final product.
Any help is appreciated - what I need to know isn't what the alpha does, but how to properly integrate it into the final product. I've searched for this info for the last several days, but I've had no luck in finding specific information on how to do that. I believe it's one of those procedures that is so simple, everyone knows how to do it. I guess I'm the only idiot on the planet that doesn't know how... .
The paint kit can be downloaded at http://library.flight1.net/wp-content/plugins/download-monitor/download.php?id=1467 if you need it to answer my question or if you're just curious about it.
Thanks for your time and consideration.
Mark

I know nothing about Nvidia DDS file format or 3D. From you screen capture you have no Alpha Channel. You do have a normal layer named Alpha Channel with its visibility turn off. Why are you flatting ? When I use Save As and use the file type pull-down and select DDS format to save I get the Nvidia DDS save Dialog that I do not know how to use or understand the buttons options or pull-down menu items. The file instruction and its background make no does not seem to match up with the parts.
I think you have to read the documentation for the Nvidia DDS plug-in. and the normal map plug-in https://developer.nvidia.com/nvidia-texture-tools-adobe-photoshop

Slightly distorted aspect-ratio (and missing alpha channel) when copy/paste from Photoshop

Maybe this is an old topic (but I didn't find anything on google or this forum):
When I copy images from Photoshop to Flash, the aspect ratio of the bitmap gets distorted. A 728x90 Bitmap becomes 727.6x90 (and so on...). The dpi is set on exactly 72 on both programs. Is there any way to JUST get a 1:1 pixel copy? (except using another program like Irfanview as a "man-in-the-middle")
Although I selected "32 bit color w/alpha" in the clipboard settings of Flash, the alpha channel seems to get discarded when copying from Photoshop. Shouldn't it at least work with Photoshop? I mean, it's an Adobe product after all and maybe the most commonly used together with Flash.
Would just be nice if a copy-paste between PS and FL was an easier thing.
I know there can also be a pixel-aspect somewhere (like used for video productions and wide-screen), but I didn't find settings for that anywhere.
I still use Flash Professional CS5.0

I'm on windows7 with CS5.5 and transparency and size are copied over just fine. You answered what would be my first question, 72dpi. How about the image mode. Are you using RGB 8bit?
I've had lots of issues with the OS not handling transparency very well also, such right-click on an image on a website that you know is a PNG and has transparency, then paste it into photoshop, the transparency isn't saved.
The route that always works (but is a PITA) is of course to save it as a PNG with transparency and just import it.

Missing Lens Flares?

Hello Everyone. I recently purchased Final Cut Express HD Preinstalled on my new black MacBook. I noticed today, while trying out some filters, that it appears that I am missing a part, a major part, of the Lens Flare filter. When looking at the details(double click on the clip that has a lens flare effect on it) of a lens flare clip, I noticed that under the "Flare Type" parameter, there is simply a gray box with a film strip icon and a question mark inside it. This first appears to me to be that the different flare types are missing or not working properly(obviously). Also, when the lens flare filter is applied, nothing really happens to change the clip. Does anyone know what might be causing this problem? If so, I'd be very grateful and appreciative to have you reply. Thanks a lot.

Ok, now that the lens flare filter is working, thanks to everyone for all the help, I have a rather interesting question. Is that it? As far as the Lens Flare goes, I mean, I'm rather suprised. I figured when they said 'Lens Flare' it would mean an actual lens flare, not just a white shape that can be changed in it's brightness and size. I own a much cheaper piece of software for Windows that has a far better and realistic Lens Flare and I'm really disappointed that Apple didn't make this one better. I'd agree with Al and say that this Lens Flare is indeed very tacky. Does anyone else feel the same way or is it just me? Thanks. -Does anyone know a downloadable lens flare that looks better?

Edit in Photoshop and Alpha Channel

When I open an image in Photoshop using 'Open with External Editor', and add an alpha channel, when I save it back to Aperture the alpha mask shows on top of the image, whether or not it is made visible in Photoshop. Furthermore, the thumbnail shows the mask as white and the image shows the mask as black.
Are others seeing this same behavior? Do I have a setting that is incorrect?

Search the discussions on a couple of these terms -- there was a thread or two a couple of months ago.
It turns out (I can't remember who pointe this out! sorry!) that if you put a completely blank alpha channel at the top of the stack of them (that is, under the R, G and B channels in the Channels palette), then save, the image shows up OK.

Applying an Alpha Channel

Hello
Am I applying the Alpha channel correctly?
I made a title in AE (Black background, white text and a lens flare). I output it as an AVI (RGB Alpha) file and imported into my Pr project. The only way I can seem to make it work is by clicking 'opacity' in 'Show Clip Keyframes' and setting the 'blend mode' to 'screen' in the 'Effects Control'. However the lens flare looks a bit washed out/ transparent(ish).
Am I doing this right???
Cheers,
Ossie

Try exporting your Comp with alpha just as you did ....but turn off the Black BG layer.
There is no point to the BG (solid) as well as an alpha channel.
Put whatever bg back in ..in PPRO if you need one at all.
I assume you want your title and flares only without the black

Applying Lens Flare Video Generator

I am a brand new user to FCE 4 and am trying to apply the Lens Flare video generator effect to a clip. I see how to customize the effect settings and have that all set up. The problem is basically 'mixing' the effect with the clip. When I apply the effect in the Viewer, all I see in the Canvas when I play the movie is the effect itself and not the underlying (or accompanying) action in the video clip. Essentially, I want to recreate a photo flash and have that quickly 'flash' and fade in my video clip. Any ideas on how to apply the lens flare so I can do this? Thanks.

Lens Flare is a filter. What you seem to want is a transition. Try putting in Dip to Color, adjusting the color to white and really shortening it up
Or Google a free FCP filter (works in FCE) called Flashframe, I think by Too Much Too Soon

When I attempt to apply a lens profile in the Develop module the only choices are for the Fujifilm X100/S/T even though in the Library module the EXIF data correctly shows the camera as the X-T1 and the precise lens used to take the picture. How do I get

When I attempt to apply a lens profile in the Develop module the only choices are for the Fujifilm X100/S/T even though in the Library module the EXIF data correctly shows the camera as the X-T1 and the precise lens used to take the picture. How do I get the right profile available?

First, the required profile needs to be present. LR 5.4 supports the X-T1 in terms of understanding its Raw format, but will not come with a profile for every lens which can be mounted onto that.
A profile is made for each specific lens, as mounted on a certain camera. It can also be used with pictures taken on a different (reasonably similar) camera body than the one originally used during profiling. This is subject to the sensor format: you can employ a given lens profile made for full frame, on an image from a crop sensor behind the same lens - but not vice versa.
Next, the image type needs to correspond to the image type which has been built into the profile: Raw, or non-Raw.
Lightroom offers only profiles of the right type for the image(s) concerned. There are many more provided for correcting camera Raw, than for correcting camera JPG. That is also the case with additional profiles, e.g. those accessed via the Adobe lens profile downloader utility.
Finally, in the event that there simply is no profile out there for a given lens, it is not particularly difficult (though a little tedious) for the end user to generate one, using a further Adobe utility which is downloadable as a package, including a range of checkerboard calibration targets, each of which needs to be printed at a stated physical size.

How do I prevent the image from shearing when I have an alpha channel?

I'm using After Effects to prepare some videos for the web. They are running at 320x240. The settings are Flv/F4v, Millions of colors, 15 FPS, RGB and Alpha, 44K/16bit Mpeg III audio, CBR 1 pass with a bit rate of 872, On2VP6 encoding.
I create the alpha channel from a greenscreen behind the actor using standard keylight and garbage mattes.
When I do not encode an alpha channel, the image is fine. My problem is that when I try to encode the alpha channel, the image shears to the left from bottom to top, and the whole image is transposed about 40% to the left. But we need the alpha channel.
This is what the shearing looks like. Any ideas on what is happening and how to prevent it? Thank you.

To check the clip, I made a small swf file the same dimensions and frame rate, 320x240 @15fps. It's a single frame, single layer with no skin. It just plays the flv file when you open up the swf. The flv file is external, so to test the results, I just keep rendering in AE to the same flv file name.
The first two seconds play okay. The shearing doesn't begin till after that. So I'm suspecting there is something strange with the keyframes. I even tried messing with the keyframe distance settings at 30 and 15, without effect.
The original video is an 854x480 mov file playing at 14.99 fps, millions of colors, Sorenson 3 coding. When I bring it into the comp, which is set at 320x240 @15 fps, I scale the movie to 50% in size. At your suggestion, I just tried making sure that all the frame rates are 14.99 instead of 15. Sadly, without any benefit. I'm still baffled.

Layer Mask/Alpha Channel. Visual bug when moving or transforming

Open test file.
Add solid color Adjustment Layer.
Paint a big "X" on its Layer Mask.
Option(alt)+click on the mask icon to see its Alpha Channel.
Now select Move tool and move mask around.
Alpha channel does not display properly when moved or transformed.

Right Jeanne, should have realized.
A good workaround for this, if you want to see the mask as you move or transform, is to just hit the backslash key to see the rubylith of the alpha channel. That displays correctly.
CB

Getting rid of black fringe when using anti-alised alpha channel

I want to take images rendered in Lightwave 9.3 into Photoshop CS2 for compositing. If:
1. I render objects with antialiased edges over a black background, and then
2. save out the alpha channel for use as a layer mask in Photoshop
I get a black fringe around the objects resulting from the semitransparent pixels of the antialiased edges revealing the black background in the base image.
How should I avoid this problem to get clean antialiased edges?
Thanks.

One of the few uses of the Image>Adjust>Brightness/Contrast is choking or spreading Alpha channels. Go to the channels palette and play around with the Alpha to see what happens. Bear in mind that you may want to load the channel as a selection (or not), invert the selection (or not), Modify the selection to expand or contract... (or not), etc, etc.
The point of all the "or nots" is that there is more than one way to attack this. Your willingness to experiment will determine whether you succeed (or not).
Here's a before and after:
http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/103/alphaon3.jpg

I'm creating a lower third in Motion and importing into FCP X, but the alpha channel is gone when I import into FCP. What am I doing wring?

I'm trying to export from Motion 5 with an alpha channel, but in FCP X the alpha is gone. What do I do?

if you're exporting video animation out of Motion and you need transparency, then you need to make sure that the codec used is ProRes 4444. There are no other options. From the Share > Export dialog, the default Export option is usually "Same as Source." In Motion, that *should* be PR4x4. You can double check that setting by clicking the summary button and reading the last line.
You also need to make sure under the Render section that Color + Alpha is selected (that should also be the default setting.)
However, most of all, you're really wasting your time going about it this way. If you started a Title project in Motion, all you have to do is Save and give the project a Name; pick a category or create a new one. In FCPX, in the Titles browser, look for the category you used and find the project name and drag it onto the storyline.
You have the option of picking parameters in your motion project that you can "publish" to FCPX (things like the lower third background color, text color, positioning, etc... almost every parameter is publishable to FCPX allowing you to customize the project *inside* FCPX.) Any parameter you publish in Motion will be in the Title Inspector in FCPX. You do not have to "bake" your lower third in Motion before using it in FCPX. You can pretty much turn your project into an FCPX plugin.
If you didn't start a Title project, you can still build your lower third as an FCPX Generator. Go to the File menu and Publish Template... In the dialog box, make sure you check Publish As Final Cut Generator. Give the project a Name and select a category (you'll need to wait a few seconds until the Categories update to the FCPX categories...) You can create a custom category if you like and save the project. In FCPX, instead of the Titles browser, look for your template/plugin in the Generators > WhateverCategory > YourLowerThird.

Photoshop CS6 using javaScript to truncate alpha channel name

Hello,
I'm a production artist and I work with PSD files that were created in Adobe Scene7 Image Authoring Tool. These PSDs contain a background layer along with 1-20 alpha channels. My script has to make a new blank layer for every alpha channel in the document. Then it fills the new layer with light gray. So far, my code accomplishes this. However, I'd like to apply the name of the alpha channel to the layer, but I need the name to be truncated. Every alpha channel starts with one or more characters followed by a backslash and then finishes with one or more characters. Here's an example:
An alpha channel might be named: Floor\floor
In this example I need my layer name to be just: floor. This means all character to the left of the backslash, including the backslash itself needs to be discarded. I was using the subSring() statement to do this. When I try to step through the code, line by line in ExtendScript, I immediately get an error that says Unterminated String Constant and Line 31 of my code is highlighted. I suspect it doesn't like the way I wrote the backslash character, although I surrounded it in double quotes to define it as a string.
Can anyone tell me why I'm getting this error?
Below is my code with lots of comments to walk you through the process. I wrote where the error occurs in red type.
I'm new to JavaScript so I'm not sure my while loop is accurate.
#target photoshop
// The #target photoshop makes the script run in PS.
// declare variable to contain the active document
var myDoc=app.activeDocument;
// declare variable to contain the number of alpha channels, excluding the RGB channels
var alphaChan = myDoc.channels.length - 3;
alert(alphaChan + " alpha channels exist");
// create loop to make new layers based on number of alpha channels, fill layer with gray and apply alpha channel name to new layer
for (a=0 ; a<alphaChan ; a+=1){
// make new blank layer
myDoc.artLayers.add();
// fill blank layer with gray
var color = new SolidColor();
color.rgb.red = 161;
color.rgb.green = 161;
color.rgb.blue= 161;
myDoc.selection.fill(color);
//variable stores alpha channel name
var alphaName = myDoc.channels[3+a];
// variable stores lenght of alpha channel name
var lz = alphaName.length;
// declare index variable to initialize position of 1st character of alpha channel name
var x= 0 ;
// truncate alpha channel name by removing all characters preceding the "\" symbol
while (alphaName.subString(x) != "\"){          (ExtendScript gives an error for this line and highlights the backslash and surrounding quotation marks)
    alphaName = alphaName.subString((x+1),z);
    x+=1;
    z-=1;
return alphaName;
// remove the backslash from alpha channel name
alphaName = alphaName.subString((x+1),z);
// apply truncated alpha channel name to corresponding layer
myDoc.artLayers[a].name = alphaName;

while (alphaName.subString(x) != "\"){
should be
while (alphaName.subString(x) != "\\"){

How do I add a new alpha channel in pse9?

where would I find the channel tab for pse3? I would like to use a black, white gradient and the lens blur to give a picture depth. I would like to make things in the background look farther away with a gradual blending effect of the lese blur. thank you in advance!

You make a selection, then save it as a new selection.
However, I'm not at all clear as to why you need to do this. For what you described in your first post, grouped/clipped layers would work better.
I myself only make alpha channels per se when other programs require them. (If you load the saved selection, then save the file with the selection active, it will be seen as an alpha channel by many programs).

No alpha channel when BCC lens flare applied

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for