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Enzo5EB8
Inspiring
June 24, 2025
Answered

Exporting Transparent Video Error

  • June 24, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 382 views

When I export a transparent video from After Effects, the .mov Quicktime file isnt playable.

 

Here's what I'm doing:

In AE ...

  • File > Export > Add to render queue
  • Format = Quicktime
  • Channels = RGB + Alpha
  • Video codec = Animation

 

When I try to preview the .mov file, I get an error message that says "The file isn’t compatible with QuickTime Player."

 

Any ideas?

Correct answer thepixelsmith

I usually just use the Render Queue directly in After Effects since it has the High Quality with Alpha preset right there but Media Encoder should do it to.

Any of the ProRes 4444 that say with Alpha would give you the transparent BG you seek:
There are alot of choices and I don't know what all of them do but some basics:

ProRes 4444 XQ: The highest quality ProRes codec, ideal for maintaining pristine image quality, especially with 4:4:4 sources and for archival purposes.
ProRes 4444:High quality, suitable for 4:4:4 sources and for retaining alpha channels when working with animations from After Effects or Motion.
ProRes 422 HQ:A high-quality, visually lossless codec for 4:2:2 sources.
ProRes 422:A good balance of quality and file size, suitable for most HD and 2K workflows.
ProRes 422 LT:A more compressed version of ProRes 422, offering smaller file sizes while still maintaining good quality.
ProRes Proxy:The most compressed ProRes codec, used for offline editing workflows, proxies, or when working with low-powered systems.

3 replies

thepixelsmith
Community Expert
thepixelsmithCommunity Expert
Community Expert
June 25, 2025

That error is caused by the codec you choose.

When using the Render Queue, you probably used the old preset Lossless with Alpha, you should use the newer preset High Quality with Alpha.

There was a change to quicktime and the older preset which uses the Animation Codec isn't suppoerted by QuickTime any longer. The newer preset uses ProRes 4444.

NOTE: ProRes 422 does not support an alpha channel.

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Enzo5EB8Author
Inspiring
June 25, 2025

In Media Encoder, which ProRes 4444 option should I choose? Also, should I be changing any other settings in this dialogue box?

thepixelsmith
Community Expert
thepixelsmithCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
June 25, 2025

I usually just use the Render Queue directly in After Effects since it has the High Quality with Alpha preset right there but Media Encoder should do it to.

Any of the ProRes 4444 that say with Alpha would give you the transparent BG you seek:
There are alot of choices and I don't know what all of them do but some basics:

ProRes 4444 XQ: The highest quality ProRes codec, ideal for maintaining pristine image quality, especially with 4:4:4 sources and for archival purposes.
ProRes 4444:High quality, suitable for 4:4:4 sources and for retaining alpha channels when working with animations from After Effects or Motion.
ProRes 422 HQ:A high-quality, visually lossless codec for 4:2:2 sources.
ProRes 422:A good balance of quality and file size, suitable for most HD and 2K workflows.
ProRes 422 LT:A more compressed version of ProRes 422, offering smaller file sizes while still maintaining good quality.
ProRes Proxy:The most compressed ProRes codec, used for offline editing workflows, proxies, or when working with low-powered systems.

caroline_edits
Community Manager
caroline_editsCommunity Manager
Community Manager
June 24, 2025

Hey Enzo, glad you posted here so we can help!

 

Try changing the Video Codec to "ProRes 422" or "ProRes 4444." That should do the trick, let us know how it goes.

 

Caroline

Todd_Morgan
Todd_Morgan
Legend
June 24, 2025

What do you mean by "preview"? You mean "play"? You might not have QT installed if you are PC. Have you tried importing the file back into AE to see if you can see it there?

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