Imported stock video missing alpha (shows black or white bg)

Question

Imported stock video missing alpha (shows black or white bg)

I tried searching for answer but most seem related to using Apple motion.

I purchased several stock video clips with 'alpha' or 'transparent bg'. However, when I import into FCPX the background is solid and not transparent.

I made sure the import settings are set to 'optimized media' and not 'proxy'.

I also tried turning down opacity in the 'compositing' menu for the particular clip but that affects entire clip; not just the background.

Is there something basic I am doing wrong or is there something wrong with the clips itself. Appreciate any advice.

Thanks

Jason

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3)

Posted on May 30, 2015 8:58 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,010 points

May 30, 2015 9:03 AM in response to silverscape23

Neither optimized nor proxy media carry transparency.

Open your media file in the QuickTime player and report exactly what it says in the inspector window.

P.S. What do you mean by solid? The default behave in FCP is to show the background as black. Set the preference to checkerboard to see transparency.

Reply

Answer 2

May 30, 2015 9:29 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Thanks Tom.

Movie Inspector

Source: (...)

Formate: H264, 1920 X 1080 (1922 X 1080)

FPS: 30

Data size: 21 MB

Data rate: 8.56 Mbit/s

Current size: 1784 x 1002

By 'solid' I mean I have a clip with shattering glass, but the clips bg is white and blocks out the layer clip beneath it. I want my clip to overlay another clip with transparency. I Only want to show the glass shattering, not the clips bg.

Reply

Answer 3

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,010 points

May 30, 2015 9:36 AM in response to silverscape23

This is the original file? Don't know what they told you but H.264 does not ever have transparency.

Try applying Composite mode Screen to it. It will give you transparency, but I don't know how good it will be with glass.

Reply

Answer 4

May 30, 2015 2:24 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

Thanks. What formats do hold transparency?

I did try using 'subtract' and it indeed remove the blackground but it also turned the 'glass' into black shards.

Reply

Answer 5

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,010 points

May 30, 2015 2:50 PM in response to silverscape23

ProRes 4444, ProRes 4444 XQ, and Animation. There's Avid codecs as well I think.

Reply