Transparent layers for export to FCP

I've created titles in Motion and want to bring them into FCP, but they come in with a black background. I've done everything I can think of to create an alpha transparent channel/layer, but to no avail. Sure could use help!

Search is your friend:
http://discussions.apple.com/search.jspa?threadID=&q=black+background&objID=f656 &dateRange=all&numResults=30&rankBy=10001
Patrick

Similar Messages

  • Transparent background  for export to FCP

    I have a bunch of little green icons I have animated and I want to be able to drop them in my FCP project as needed. I have searched and read and read.... and read..... I can't seem to figure out how to do this. From reading on my search results I must mess with the alpha channels but I'm really new at this and am not sure how to do this. Can anyone just give me a little quick step-by-step on this?
    I have, in Motion, the export settings to Millions of Colors+ and Animation.
    Thanks-

    This isn't nearly as intuitive as I think this should be.
    You're right, video is really hard.
    Looking back over your thread, it's entirely possible the movies have transparency, you're just not looking at it properly, which is, granted, confusing. But alpha channels are not fundamental to video editing, they're special types of clips and you need to learn how to create and use them.
    Motion is set by default to render to the Animation codec but may not be set to millions of colors +, the + sign is the alpha.
    And, no, sorry, it can't be explained in a simple step-by-step post. There are fifty or a hundred pages on alphas in the Motion documentation. Start with the explanation of the Animation codec.
    bogiesan
    bogiesan

  • Making star fields: Transparent layers for stars made with noise?

    I'm trying to do what David Bogie described here:
    David Bogie, "How can you create a flying through space effect?" #4, 16 Jul 2008 7:28 am. But I'm a real newbie in AE (I have 6.0 and have owned it for years but only used it about twice or so - I do everything else in PPro), so I'm getting stumped on basics. What kind of layer should I do this with? The choices in 6.0 are Text, Solid, Light, Camera, Null Object, and Adjustment Layer. I tried a solid black layer, but it is indeed very solid - when I make a second one, the first is never seen again. Null Object and Adjustment layers don't seem to respond when I put the noise and threshold effect pair on them, so they are apparently the wrong type for this. There seems to be no such thing as a Transparent layer type, or is there?
    A secondary question (sorry to put two questions in one post, but it's probably simple) is about the threshold effect. It seems that the result is either pure white or pure black - I started with noise of varying lightnesses and even color, but when I use threshold to thin it out (to make it more like stars), the result is only bright white dots and nothing else, no matter what threshold level I choose. Am I missing something simple?

    Sorry, Thomas, I thought you were the one who was frustrated - it sounded like you felt I needed to either upgrade or study the basics on my own before attempting something like this. And I wasn't belittling older versions; I thought you were. Don't ya just hate that lack of voice inflection and facial expressions that you get in online communication...! Okay, onward.
    I read about the Pan Behind Tool before (if you start searching for "anchor point" and "position" it comes right up), but then, as now, I don't understand how it works with layers that have already been moved out of whack. And since my last post I have done way more to my comp: To try to reduce the afore-mentioned problem while still getting a variety of star patterns in my layers, I made all the positions 360x240 (which is the same as what I left the anchor points at) and introduced rotation instead - that didn't solve it, but it looked a little better. Then I decided that the time before the earth appeared was kinda boring, so I learned about parenting, made two of the star layers children of the third one, and bezier'ed some position and rotation action to the parent, so that it will look like the viewer's ship is changing direction as it's flying, and then when it steadies its heading, earth begins to appear. It's not bad - the flying motion takes your attention off the layer discrepancy. But when I showed it to my husband, who had conceived the original idea of this sort of video for the song intro, he instantly noticed the relative motion without me mentioning it - he didn't know what to call it, but commented that my stars seemed to be moving around. Yup! I am now convinced that it's not just anchor points, but the fact that the scale is different on the three layers. I even tried adjusting the rates of change of the scale to be the same on all layers (2X over the course of a period of time - one is 100->200, another is 60->120, and the third is 50->100), but they still move funny. Oh, well. So I finally just rid of the keyframes on the two child tracks altogether and let the parent do all the enlarging. I don't know how that differs from having each layer enlarge the same ratio over the same course of time, but somehow it is - the funny movement is gone. Unfortunately that eliminated the final thing that made the layers different - the current result could have been achieved simply with three layers in Photoshop. I would have liked to have "closer" layers enlarging faster than "farther" ones (that's the reason for multiple layers in the first place), but if they won't do so from the center point, it's just too weird. I have spent a whole day working on 18 seconds of video - I need to move on to the rest of my project.
    Okay, now to address Andrew's post, which came in when this post was almost ready to send (I learned my lesson and checked before actually sending!). That's my kind of tutorial! In one sitting he teaches several techniques, effects, tools, unnumerable keyboard shortcuts, etc. Often when I watch a tutorial video, I learn just one thing in ten minutes, but this guy packs in the information. I will have to be careful to sort out what I can do and what I can't - I have 6.0 Standard, and he has Pro of some newer version (I don't know how new, but he was able to make great-looking stars in seconds using fractal noise, an effect I don't seem to have). As for using his idea directly, it had occurred to me that zooming in closer than I am would be cool, but I don't have any images for that. Do you know where one would get satellite images like that? Google Earth is copyrighted material, even though I assume the images it uses are not.
    Wow, I learned a lot today - thanks to both of you for pointing me in good directions. AE is not as intimidating as it was yesterday! :-)

  • Transparent Layers not exporting

    HI There - hoping someone can help me - I'm a flash beginner....
    I have a flash file with a solid colour layer over a part of my visual that I have sent to 60% opacity using the alpha colour effect. All looks great in flash, but when I publish the file as a swf - the colour block is solid. I'm assuming I'm using the wrong export options, but don't really know the difference between them all. I'm publishing under flash lite 4 as I was told I needed to use this to make my movie compatible over mobile devices as well and normal web browers. Any suggestions....
    Ewan

    No its a block of colour that is slightly transparent so that the text is visible and the image behind the block is faded - though the rest of the image is vibrant - does that make any sense. Take a look at www.equinoxaccess.com - the header graphics on each page have some testimonial text and has a solid background colour - its supposed to be see opaque, so I can see the rest of the image!
    Ewan

  • Best way to export from FCP for website

    I've been reading around about this and am not getting a clear idea of what to do...
    I have some short sequences in FCP (longest is 2 minutes) that I want to post individually on my new website (that I'm just learning about).
    I want to export them in a way that is a small file but that looks and sounds good, and also that can be played by most or all computers.
    So I guess that is two questions: settings for export from FCP, and how to control how it will be viewed.
    Thanks so much, anyone with ideas or experience!

    We don't know what format you are dealing with, ratio etc.
    However, some short answers for you.
    For best quality at a considerable small file size the choice is, yet again, H.264 (Require QT7 or higher. For universal compatibility you may need flash conversion).
    FCP main menu>File>Export>QT Conversion>Options> the higher the bit rate the better the quality but the bigger becomes the file size. Size : i.e 320x240 if 4:3; 480x270 if 16x9). Choose AAC (Not PCM) as sound format (192 target bit rate).

  • Exporting from FCP for use with PC

    Hey all,
    Trying to deliver a high-med quality 8 minute video from FCP for use with a PC. I've tried exporting both a .mov and .avi using DVCPro50, but neither are readable through the PC. Best I can get is sometimes audio will show up. Does anyone have a good solution for exporting from FCP for use with a PC?
    Thanks again for your help!

    I don't think DVCpro50 codec is available on a PC. I think panasonic has a special license with apple only, so you need to try a different codec for the avi.

  • Best Codec for exporting animations with alpha channel from FCP timeline

    Whats the best codec for exporting animations (hopefully using loseless compression) that will retain alpha channel, and use the current sequence settings for fps and size?
    Currently Im exporting image sequences, but I'd prefer a wrapper.. I don't know much about the 'Animation' export codec.. I did notice that set to current size had some funky value of 753x450 or something.. instead of my current project size of 1920x1080...
    Anyhow.. Just seeing what others are doing..
    basically Im reading out some titles that I'll end up dropping over video later.. but since they render out so slowly (**** lower 3rds is slow) Im trying to get a jump on the process..
    Tx..

    PNG should do it. I think PNG is lossless (that's what they say, anyway). But realistically, if you use PNG, Animation, or JPG2000 set on highest quality, I'd dare you to tell a difference.
    I use PNG because it's supposedly lossless, renders twice as fast as Animation in a FCP timeline, and is usually about half the size.
    If you use "Export Using Quicktime Conversion", you will need to check all of the settings manually to make sure they match your sequence settings. This is always true, no matter what codec you use.
    If that sounds risky, your other option is to go into your sequence settings and change the codec to the one you want to render to (this will probably turn your whole timeline red), and then choose Export -> Quicktime movie.

  • FCP X workflow for export to MP4...

    Hello
    i would love if someone helped me and broke out a workflow for exporting to a MP4 file with a 2500kbps +, 1920 x 1080 or 1280 x 720.
    in previous FCP no problemo - i'm really struggling with this.
    i have FCP X 10.1.3 and compressor 4.1.3
    Mac X, 10.9.4, 1.7Ghz, Core i7
    I want to upkeep the max quality
    I have a high quality audio track over top of a string of PNG files (basically powerpoint slides exported to PNGs) from a PPT presentation.
    thanks a ton!
    jks

    Create a custom setting in Compressor by clicking the plus button in the bottom of the Settings pane of Compressor. In the drop down, choose MPEG 4. Make your adjustments in the Inspector. In FCP, choose Compressor Settings from the Share menu. That will open Compressor. Choose your MP4 setting.
    Russ

  • Export settings for sequence from FCP to Avid PC

    Hi,
    Please can someone give me the best export settings/codecs to use if I need to export a FCP sequence with clips shot on XDCam EX1, 1920x1080i, 35 mbs at the least quality loss possible so that it can be imported into an Avid on PC for titling, effects and other bits added? My on-line editor is on Avid PC.
    Many thanks
    Belinda

    Hee....missed that final sentence somehow.
    So...offlining imported footage on FCP that you will online in Avid? What is there to online? You imported at full resolution. Must be color correction.
    OK then...you edit in FCP from imported XDCAM EX footage...and you intend to go to Avid for the final color correct and titling. Did you plan for this? Test this? because I am pretty sure that the QT files that were created when you imported with the transfer tool won't work on a PC. Unless you tested and they did. But it appears that they don't as you are asking how to get them there.
    Did you not ask this question when you started this show? That is ALWAYS something you do. If you plan on doing a certain workflow, you have to make sure that the workflow in question will work. Offline and online from tape is fairly simple, as you can recapture from the tape...timecode being the big thing there. But this is IMPORTED footage. Full clips, and I don't see how you can import only what is used in a sequence.
    This issue, coupled with FCP to Avid...and Avid on a PC no less. Well. Find a codec you can export from FCP that the Avid can read (this will require testing), then MEDIA MANAGE the footage to that codec. Hmm....but then how will the Avid read the FCP project file to reconnect to the footage?
    Nope...I stand by my original answer. Output to XDCAM disk and recapture, or to HDCAM or HDCAM SR tape and recapture.
    Shane

  • What format to export from FCP for iDVD?

    I am having trouble coming from FCP to iDVD. Material was shot HDV on a Sony Z5 and I downconverted to DV to edit on FCP. I make a Quick Time Movie of the edit (as DV PAL) but the pans are all juddery. How should I export from FCP to stop the juddering on pans?

    http://www.sjoki.uta.fi/~shmhav/SVCDon_a_Macintosh.html#edit_convertMPEG
    BTW, this is the mother of all FAQs here Sadly the FAQ section of the forum decribes just the problem, not any solutions. And searching the forums doesn't always work either.
    ObSig: I don't benefit from the link.

  • How do I export from FCP to a QuickTime file with multiple audio channels?

    I'm delivering a project where the first step is to generate an HD Cam SR master, which I will be doing at a post-production lab. They will then do a QC check for me. To generate this HD Cam SR master, they need to me to bring in my 98-minute long movie on a firewire hard drive, in five equal parts -- QuickTime files. From these five QT files, the lab will then be creating an HD Cam SR master that will have...
    dialogue on tracks 1 and 2
    effects on tracks 3 and 4
    music on tracks 5 and 6
    MY QUESTION
    a) I don't see any way to separate these audio tracks accordingly in the FCP menu for QuickTime export. Does anyone have any experience doing this?
    b) And does anyone know the most efficient way to combine timeline audio tracks for this purpose? I have my dialogue sitting on the first FOUR audio tracks, actually. To deliver this film, I'll need to crush these four audio tracks to two, as listed above. I could generate an AIFF file, I suppose, import it back onto the timeline, sync it up, and then re-export along with the visuals to make the final QT file, but this seems like a generation loss.
    thanks,
    Shanked
    PS the movie is made up of footage from a Sony PMW EX1. I used the codec "XDCAM 1080 24p 35mbs VBR" for editing in FCP. I'll either export to QT using this same codec or switch to "Apple ProRes" if my machine can somehow maintain the sync.

    The following will answer both your questions a) and b).
    Click on your master timeline and press cmd+0 (zero) to bring up Sequence Settings, then click on the Audio Outputs tab on the right. Click on the Outputs option and change it to 6. You can leave them as Stereo pairs.
    Now, back on your timeline, you need to make sure all your audio is organised so each track. A1, A2, A3, A4 etc has all the relevant media on it.
    Then, on the left of the timeline you see the Destination toggle buttons, then you see the Padlocks to lock tracks, then you have the Toggle Auto Select squares. If you right-click on the Toggle Auto Select squares you bring up a little sub-menu, at the top of this list you'll see Audio Outputs, which will show the stereo channels for that particular track. As you've changed the number of Audio Outputs in the Sequence Settings, the list will show: 1&2, 3&4, 5&6. You just tick whichever channels you want.
    In your case, you have dialogue on the first 4 tracks, no problem, just go down through tracks 1,2,3 and 4 as described above and assign these to Audio Outputs 1&2.
    Then just go down through your music and effects audio tracks and assign them accordingly.
    Now, when you export your timeline as a self-contained media file, it will have different audio channels.
    I hope that makes sense. When you change the number of audio outputs as described in the first step, I believe the rest of it is fairly self explanatory, once you know where the settings are.

  • Everytime I export from FCP using comressor I am lose my audio, any ideas as to why this is happening. Or do I have somthing turned off and I am just missing it? Dual 2.7 Ghz PowerPC G5 1.5 GB DDR SDRAM, Mac OS X (10.4.6)

    Everytime I export from FCP using comressor I am lose my audio, any ideas as to why this is happening. Or do I have somthing turned off and I am just missing it? Dual 2.7 Ghz PowerPC G5 1.5 GB DDR SDRAM, Mac OS X (10.4.6)

    Exporting via Compressor may be recommended but it is slow and doesn't fully support all available filters, etc.
    Try exporting the timeline as a QT Movie (the "normal" export) using Current Settings and them submit the resultant clip to Compression. Works for me...

  • Exporting from FCP to DVD

    Hey
    Just wondering if I can get some advise. I need to export my project from final cut pro to DVD but just wondering what the best way to do this would be to get the best quality DVD. (This is for a company to take out to potential clients to sell what the company does - so it needs to look good!)
    My project is no longer than 5 mins
    1920 x 1080 - 1080i (16:9)
    Field Dominance: None
    frame rate 25
    I have Final Cut Studio latest version.
    I'm trying out a few options at the moment using compressor - best quality - so we'll see what these look like, but I'm not sure what all the settings should be set at.
    Any advise on what you think will be best would be great.
    Thanks

    Wouldn't use Quicktime conversion - no need. Just export from FCP as Quicktime Movie at current settings.
    In my experience, changing the field dominance from interlaced to progressive can cause stuttering particularly in motion graphics - this might not be an issue if you're laying to tape for broadcast but when you convert back to interlaced for SD DVD it can look very ugly.
    In any case, at the very least, you need to be using a Kona card or IOHD to do this type of conversion properly - and really, if you want progressive you should shoot progressive.
    Message was edited by: Dynamicworm
    Message was edited by: Dynamicworm

  • Transparency issue while exporting in PNG 24 (png 32 in fact)

    Hello,
    I'm trying to export in png24 with transparency but instead of a png Photoshop (ImageReady in fact) creates a jpg with no transparency at all... I can see on the optimized image that ImageReady cannot show the transparency i have in Photoshop (he puts white background evrywhere, but in the original image i actually have transparency).
    Can someone help me with this bug ?
    Thank you !
    Jordi

    You wrote ImageReady I used CS2 version of Image Ready the latest version of ImageReady.   I do not have any version of Photoshop older then CS2 installed. CS2 was shipped 2005. How old is your ImageReady? What version are you using. You do realize imageready is no longer available or supported right.  In CS6 you use Save for Web to save PNG 24 files. With Transparency check for transparency.  I do not know if PNG 32 exists  I don't do HDR but know there is some 32Bit color support for HDR. Save for web is not an option if your exditing in 32bit color depth. Many Image File formats do not support 32 bit color...... I know PNG support 16bit Color where jpeg only supports 8bit color depth.
    Message was edited by: JJMack

  • What are the recommended optimum import settings for pictures into FCP

    I'm using FCS 7.0 and about to start a project / slideshow with about 700-900 pictures. The images are currently slides but will be converted into digital images. What would be the recommended settings / format to have the pictures converted into digital images for Final Cut? Also, any advice on the sequence / timeline settings as well would be appreciated.
    Thanks!

    Look at this first...it's designed for stills...and when you're done you can export it for use in FCP
    http://www.boinx.com/fotomagico/overview/

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