unable to import png files into FCP7 with alpha channels

Question

Level 1

71 points

unable to import png files into FCP7 with alpha channels

I know this is more of a Photoshop question. But does anyone know how to save PNG files with alpha channels. When I import them into FCP7, no alpha channels show up with pNG. They do with Tiff but i was hoping to stick with png because the files sizes are much smaller.

Thanks very much in advance,

- Nick

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Jan 1, 2010 6:59 PM

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Answer 1

Nick Holmes

Level 7

30,018 points

Jan 1, 2010 7:15 PM in response to ninose

There's no "special" procedure apart from having the Alpha checkbox active when you save from Photoshop. They should work the same as your TIFFs do.

If you are concerned about the file size, saving as TIFF with transparency instead (use the Alpha to remove the excess, delete the background and then the Alpha) will make them somewhat smaller. Everything gets rendered to your Sequence setting anyway so the files will be identical in size, regardless of the format.

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Answer 2

Jan 1, 2010 7:19 PM in response to ninose

PNGs should have an alpha channel inherently, or so I have always found.

Take one into FCP and select the PNG, press Command+9 to bring up its Item Properties and in Alpha Type select Straight, Black or White [I usually go with Black or Straight depending on the file]. This should work for you however again I this Assignment of the Alpha Type usually happens automatically [as you probably found with FCS2]...

I hope this helps...

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Answer 3

ninose Author

Level 1

71 points

Jan 1, 2010 7:25 PM in response to Nick Holmes

Hi Nick,

I think you helpd me on a similar issue earlier last week. Thanks.

So if I save an image as both a tiff and a png and I bring them into Motion or FCP7, it won't take longer to render the animated still if the still is a tiff rather than a png? Did I understand you correctly?

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Answer 4

ninose Author

Level 1

71 points

Jan 1, 2010 7:27 PM in response to ninose

The problem is that in Photoshop, when I save the PNG file in the Save as Menu, the Layers and Alpha Channel options are always shaded like its not possible to have them as options for "PNG". I must be doing something wrong.

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Answer 5

Nick Holmes

Level 7

30,018 points

Jan 1, 2010 7:34 PM in response to ninose

I have never compared the two formats on rendering times, but can't think of a reason why a TIFF would take longer to be rendered.

Alpha Channel options are always shaded like its not possible to have them as options

Go to the Layers palette and activate the visibility icon for the Alpha layer.

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Answer 6

ninose Author

Level 1

71 points

Jan 1, 2010 7:43 PM in response to Nick Holmes

Hi Nick,

Last question: When I save my 2 layered PNG file, ithe Save As Menu also shades the "layers" check box option. Does PNG also not allow multiple layers? Is it just PSD and TIFF that allow alpha channels and multiple layers?

Thanks again,

- Nick

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Answer 7

ninose Author

Level 1

71 points

Jan 1, 2010 7:48 PM in response to ninose

Even though I made the alpha channel visible in Photoshop, when I import into FCP7 and I click "Cmnd+9" to bring up my Format tab, next to Alphs is says "None/Ignore"

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Answer 8

Nick Holmes

Level 7

30,018 points

Jan 1, 2010 8:03 PM in response to ninose

PNG can have transparency and Alpha channels but not layers.

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Answer 9

ninose Author

Level 1

71 points

Jan 1, 2010 8:41 PM in response to Nick Holmes

I know how to create an alpha channel in a png file inside Photoshop, the problem is that when I save the png file, Photoshop does not allow me to keep the alpha channel. The alpha channel option is shaded as in not selectable in the Save As Menu window.

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Answer 10

Jan 1, 2010 8:46 PM in response to ninose

Mate did you change the Alpha drop down in FCP from None/Ignore to Black after selecting the image and hitting CMD+9 to bring up Item Properties? If not, just try it...

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Answer 11

Jan 1, 2010 9:59 PM in response to ninose

The PNG format supports transparency, it just doesn't support additional alpha channels. All you need to do is hide (or delete) the Background layer, make sure one other layer is visible, and Save As. The Alpha should show up as "Black" in the Browser in FCP.

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Answer 12

Jan 2, 2010 5:47 AM in response to Caine Mitchell.

save yourself all this trouble and use TIFF'S

The rendering is faster with TIFF, its a far superior format compared to any other and FCP has much less processing to do. With your system the larger file size should not be an issue.

PNG (Portable Network Graphic)of course is at the bottom of the quality level-its designed for low resolution web graphics.

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Answer 13

Jan 2, 2010 4:59 PM in response to Gary Scotland

That's not true. PNG has different flavours, and the kind in use here (Save As from Photoshop) is lossless PNG-24. Exactly the same quality as TIFF but a smaller file size. (Some older web graphics use PNG-8: GIF-level quality, only 256 colours and 1-bit transparency.)

Stills at appropriate resolution are all easy to deal with in comparison to video; the format isn't very important with regard to processing requirements.

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Answer 14

ninose Author

Level 1

71 points

Jan 2, 2010 5:26 PM in response to Iain Anderson

Hi Lain,

But can you tell me why Photoshop CS4 does not let me save a PNG file with alpha channel.

When I go to the Save As window, Alpha Channel is not an option for me. It's shaded. I have only been able to save TIF and PSD files with alpha channels, not PNG. I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

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Answer 15

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,809 points

Jan 2, 2010 5:37 PM in response to ninose

Could you describe exactly how you're creating and saving the alpha channel?

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