Alpha Channel (Full Version)

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Filip K. -> Alpha Channel (1/25/2008 7:22:05 PM)

I am trying to create a very small clip of a motion design element ( control panel 0012) to be used as a small self contained animation on a website.
Small in size of course is the key here.
My big problem here is not the size but the alpha ch.
So far my work flow has been:
Export from Juicer 3 in Pal 720 x 576 at 15 frames a sec. then scale to canvas to fill the screen as much as possible.
Use QT with alpha ch. in he export settings.

In FCP6 I get stuck on the export possibilities as PNG grays out bitrate settings etc. in order to make it small enough for a website.
Most other codecs don't seem to support the embedded alpha ch.
So the question is, which codec to use, or should I separate the alpha ch. in Juicer 3 first and use a different work flow in FCP6.

Hope my problem is clear enough to understand.

Many thanks

Filip K.



D. Eric Franks -> RE: Alpha Channel (1/26/2008 9:41:29 AM)

Animated, I assume? I don't know that there is good support for animated PNG files in browsers, but PNG or (if you can suffer less colors) GIF are your only choices. QT (MOV) also supports alpha playback - with the right codec, like PNG - but, again, don't think it's well supported in browsers. Just make sure you have selected "Millions of Colors+" (the "+" is the alpha).

Honestly, I don't think this is going to work. You probably need to look into faking it (e.g., slicing up your webpage so it LOOKS like it is a transparent overlay over dynamic content, when really, it's static) or using Flash.



Filip K. -> RE: Alpha Channel (1/26/2008 10:58:46 AM)

Thanks Eric,

Animated of course, otherwise I would have done it in PS.
I don't have Flash and not a wizard with websites at all, in fact I have never done it before. I am just making use of .Mac for the first time and since I am at the moment putting some simple web pages together in iWeb, so why not make use of all those fantastic motion design elements and bring this site alive and a bit more interesting. I can't believe that among all these codecs available...
I brought the size down to about 150 kb at a resolution of about 320 x 150 in Compressor, which I presume is not bad for a website, doesn't look to bad either. I just don't understand with all these codecs that non of them will support alpha channels, except for buying Flash?

Filip K.



JP Shook -> RE: Alpha Channel (1/26/2008 12:08:09 PM)

Lots of codecs support alpha channels, it is the web players that don't support them.  Can you give us more details about what you are trying to do?





mptribe -> RE: Alpha Channel (1/26/2008 9:12:48 PM)

Filip, I like your Avatar.  Very Cool!

If I haven't done it already, welcome to the forums!



flascrnwrtr -> RE: Alpha Channel (1/27/2008 12:11:10 AM)

Welcome, Filip! Enjoy yourself! [:D]



Filip K. -> RE: Alpha Channel (1/27/2008 12:15:48 AM)

G'day JP,

I am trying to create a small animation for a website I am putting together in iWeb. For some reason I am unable to produce it with the apha ch. so every time it finishes up with the black background included. I don't know what I am doing wrong in FCP or when I am compressing it in Compressor to make it small enough for a website. I am stumped at the moment.

The avatar was made in Photo booth and the color tweaked in PS. Photobooth is fun to play with. Its a constant challenge between my daughter and me who can come with the best warp. You should see the one I use in the Sketchup forum. I look like the incredible snowman.

Filip K.



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