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

21 replies

ninose Author

Level 1

71 points

Jan 2, 2010 6:53 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

Sure,

Once I have my subject selected (using the Quick Selection tool), I save it as an alpha channel in the channels window. I can see my white foreground on black background. So far so good.

The problem is when I then save the PNG file, both "layers" and "Alpha Channels" are shaded telling me I can't save a PNG file with more than one layer or even an alpha channel. That's why I'm using TIF right now. I know that I can create a single layer over a transparent background for PNG, but when I go into FCP, I see no alpha channel on my PNG. No problem with TIFs though.

Message was edited by: Nicholas Natteau1

Jan 2, 2010 10:43 PM in response to ninose

The PNG format will not let you save a separate alpha channel. It does let you save the in-built transparency visible in Photoshop. Don't create a separate alpha channel — it won't work. Just hide the background layer and use other layers on top.

If you've already created an alpha channel, command-click it to load it as a selection, then select the layer with your content ( not the Background layer) and press the "Add Layer Mask" button in the Layers panel.

If the layer you want to use is the Background layer, you'll need to double-click it to be able to add a layer mask to it. (You could also option-double-click it to skip the naming dialog.)

You will not be able to save "Alpha Channels" in the Save As dialog because you can't save any additional alpha channels. The existing transparency information will be preserved.

Since this is much closer to the native way of using Photoshop, this should be much easier than using separate alpha channels. There are many subtle ways for that process to fail.

ninose Author

Level 1

71 points

Jan 3, 2010 7:59 AM in response to Iain Anderson

HI Lain,

Thanks for helping. OK so I see now that alpha channels can't be saved with png and that PNGs can't be multi-layered. But let me ask you this:

If I save my png file with a layer mask and bring it into FCP7. Supposing I later decide I don't want the transparency. I did what you said. I created a layer mask for the png image.

Please see my examples posted here: http://gallery.me.com/nicholasnatteau#100327

Now when I bring the PNG file into FCP7, and I select "ALPHA TYPE = STRAIGHT" I have my transparency (1).

But if I later change my mind and decide I want the background after all (ALPHA TYPE = NONE/IGNORE") this is what I get: (2). Do you have any idea why you don't see the entire background? (You see it in the TIFF version (photo 4)).

Is this inevitable with PNGs in FCP7? If so, I think I'll stick with TIFFs because with TIFFs that have alpha channels you can always change your mind later and decide to turn the background on or off. See photos 3 and 4. In the TIFF version, you can see the entire background. In the TIFF version of the image, the background is not broken up in blocks like it is in the PNG version.

Message was edited by: Nicholas Natteau1

Message was edited by: Nicholas Natteau1

Message was edited by: Nicholas Natteau1

Jan 3, 2010 3:16 PM in response to ninose

Hi -

Yes, the behaviour you show in that example is expected, as PNG doesn't store any unnecessary parts of the image. If you need the flexibility to turn off the alpha later, then TIFF is for you.

Personally, I prefer the straight "no background" PSD-style approach because it's much easier to verify clean edges around the foreground object and it avoids the need to create separate alpha channels.

(PS. My name is "iain", not "Lain". 🙂

ninose Author

Level 1

71 points

Jan 5, 2010 9:01 AM in response to Iain Anderson

Hi Iain,

Sorry about that. PSD sounds great. But is there a way to import a PSD file into an FCP timeline without the PSD file showing up on its own timeline?

Jan 5, 2010 11:30 PM in response to ninose

Sorry for the confusion. By "PSD-style" workflow I mean simply that PNG is like PSD in that you can see the transparency grid immediately behind the content area without a separate alpha channel.

As you've found, PSDs in FCP are problematic as they are interpreted as a sequence, often with an incorrect aspect ratio.

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unable to import png files into FCP7 with alpha channels