CGTalk - alpha channels on movie files

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snot_nose

11-04-2002, 01:45 AM

Is it possible to make alpha channels on a rendered video format (avi,mov...)? sorta like when you render with tif and get the mask file, but with a movie format. i thought they could be usefull to use them for putting a video or pictures on the background of a character.

Chris

11-04-2002, 01:51 AM

yep, you've just got to use a codec that supports an alpha channel. I always use Quicktime -> Animation ->Millions of colours+ (the "+" is the alpha channel), with quality set on best. Its compressed losslessly, so it is byte for byte exactly the same as your original render.

I still render to TGA's thoug & convert to a quicktuime in post - its a lot more versatile that way 'ya see... :)

Gonzo The Great

11-07-2002, 11:13 PM

A bit old adding to this thread but...

The quicktime version is good but one other way I suggest to is to render the scene with Render Elements with Alpha Channel set.

With Render elements you should get 2 output types: All diffuse, shadow, atmosphere, specular etc. together and the 2nd is the Alpha pass.

Use the Divx codec for super compression and high quality. Even if you can afford space with TARGA ... its great to have 1 easy organised movie file.

--------------------------
BTW - I never render directly to a movie file as it can corrupt if interupted. I always render to .TGA and use Premiere to compile the movie later.

Gonzo The Great

11-07-2002, 11:15 PM

Forgot to mention in the end you have two movie files in the end, but they're small small small!

snot_nose

11-07-2002, 11:23 PM

and what is render elements?
is it a plugin?

Gonzo The Great

11-07-2002, 11:34 PM

Render Element is your Render Options Dialogue from 3dsmax 4 onwards. If you have Combustion you can output from there making life easier.

papillon

11-07-2002, 11:35 PM

no, its max standar. in the render options, look for render elements tab

Gonzo The Great

11-07-2002, 11:37 PM

Whah?

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