Problem with After Effects Alpha Channel at DVinfo.net

John Rich · August 28th, 2008, 04:08 PM

I am using Aspect HD5.2.5.109 build from March 4,2008.

I have AE CS3 and trying to make a lower third type graphic, by masking out the background image and moving mask etc. but when I do this, there is no alpha channel.

When I render it Video Windows for Movie using the Cineform HDCodec V3.6.2, and setting Channels to RGB + alpha, the clip renders, but includes the background of the comp, ie there is no alpha channel.

I repeated this a couple of times and it still happens. The comp is using a HDV 1080 29.97.

I hope this is something simple I'm doing wrong. Thanks in advance for the help.
John Rich

David Newman · August 28th, 2008, 04:57 PM

Most compressed codecs don't support alpha channels. Aspect HD codec doesn't. However the Prospect 4K or NEO 4K version of the CineForm codecs does support alpha channels and 4:4:4:4 encoding. You can download a 15-day try of either product to see if you like it.

Steps
1) Uninstall Aspect HD (do not deactivate)
2) Install Prosect 4K
3) have fun for 15-days to see if you want to upgrade.
4) Either purchase an upgrade, or uninstall P4K and reinstall AHD (there are no licensing issues doing this.)

John Rich · August 28th, 2008, 06:10 PM

Thanks David,

I read that after I posted, on another thread. That's kind of disappointing. I really don't want to up grade.

I guess I need some kind of work around. I was using the Cineform Premiere Pro CS3 preset, for my Premiere Pro Project and I rendered the graphic out of AE as a quicktime mov, but I got an error message when I dropped it onto my Premiere timeline.

I tried using the Premiere HDV 1080 30p project and imported the Cineform clips I had downloaded with HDLink and used the quicktime .mov lower third which worked ok in Premiere. Then I exported this using Export - Movie - and used the Cineform HD codec as 720x480 1.2 Aspect ratio and Progressive, and it looks good on Windows Media Player.

My original footage was HDV captured from a HV20. If there is a better way to do this, I would appreciate any help. Thanks,
John Rich

August 28th, 2008, 04:08 PM	#1
John Rich Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 80	Problem with After Effects Alpha Channel I am using Aspect HD5.2.5.109 build from March 4,2008. I have AE CS3 and trying to make a lower third type graphic, by masking out the background image and moving mask etc. but when I do this, there is no alpha channel. When I render it Video Windows for Movie using the Cineform HDCodec V3.6.2, and setting Channels to RGB + alpha, the clip renders, but includes the background of the comp, ie there is no alpha channel. I repeated this a couple of times and it still happens. The comp is using a HDV 1080 29.97. I hope this is something simple I'm doing wrong. Thanks in advance for the help. John Rich

August 28th, 2008, 04:57 PM	#2
David Newman CTO, CineForm Inc. Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California Posts: 8,095	Most compressed codecs don't support alpha channels. Aspect HD codec doesn't. However the Prospect 4K or NEO 4K version of the CineForm codecs does support alpha channels and 4:4:4:4 encoding. You can download a 15-day try of either product to see if you like it. Steps 1) Uninstall Aspect HD (do not deactivate) 2) Install Prosect 4K 3) have fun for 15-days to see if you want to upgrade. 4) Either purchase an upgrade, or uninstall P4K and reinstall AHD (there are no licensing issues doing this.) __________________ David Newman -- web: www.gopro.com blog: cineform.blogspot.com -- twitter: twitter.com/David_Newman

August 28th, 2008, 06:10 PM	#3
John Rich Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 80	Thanks David, I read that after I posted, on another thread. That's kind of disappointing. I really don't want to up grade. I guess I need some kind of work around. I was using the Cineform Premiere Pro CS3 preset, for my Premiere Pro Project and I rendered the graphic out of AE as a quicktime mov, but I got an error message when I dropped it onto my Premiere timeline. I tried using the Premiere HDV 1080 30p project and imported the Cineform clips I had downloaded with HDLink and used the quicktime .mov lower third which worked ok in Premiere. Then I exported this using Export - Movie - and used the Cineform HD codec as 720x480 1.2 Aspect ratio and Progressive, and it looks good on Windows Media Player. My original footage was HDV captured from a HV20. If there is a better way to do this, I would appreciate any help. Thanks, John Rich