Skip to main content
C
CRobertson1392
Participating Frequently
January 24, 2019
Answered

Exporting for web + Alpha channel

  • January 24, 2019
  • 3 replies
  • 9437 views

hello, I am trying to export for web. My final product needs an alpha channel because it is used as a border for live feed. Every time I export I get file sizes anywhere from 200mb+. My intention is to get 50mb and below. I know it can be done because I have files that are less than 20mb and have the same animations. The person I got the files from will not share their wisdom. I am using Adobe After Effects, usually with the saber plugin. What can be done to achieve the goal of 50mb or less with alpha channel?

    Correct answer Everdraed

    naw he's correct to think it's possible and Plan A is fine, Dave.

    OBS supports alpha'd webm, which both AME 2019 + 2018 (anything CS6 or later) can export to if you install the open source plugin for it from http://www.fnordware.com/WebM/ .  Make sure to 'Add to Adobe Media Encoder Queue' instead of 'Add to Render Queue' in AE and also check 'Include Alpha Channel' in 'Codec settings' on export.  It's extremely solid compression and offers some quality options as well.


    Worked perfectly for me in a similar type of OBS overlay project where I animated donation reward visuals that appeared dynamically based on donation amounts in OBS:

    http://everdraed.com/wat/fangTophat.webm   (3.98MB)

    http://everdraed.com/wat/fang14karat.webm  (889KB)

    http://everdraed.com/wat/fangHeadXplode.webm  (3.37MB)

    I think these are with default compression quality, they aren't particularly complex or long but 50MB for sub 20 seconds should be no problem.

    Also duder you should thank Dave for this, only reason I responded is 'cause I can't stand smug wrongness haha.

    3 replies

    Everdraed
    EverdraedCorrect answer
    New Participant
    January 25, 2019

    naw he's correct to think it's possible and Plan A is fine, Dave.

    OBS supports alpha'd webm, which both AME 2019 + 2018 (anything CS6 or later) can export to if you install the open source plugin for it from http://www.fnordware.com/WebM/ .  Make sure to 'Add to Adobe Media Encoder Queue' instead of 'Add to Render Queue' in AE and also check 'Include Alpha Channel' in 'Codec settings' on export.  It's extremely solid compression and offers some quality options as well.


    Worked perfectly for me in a similar type of OBS overlay project where I animated donation reward visuals that appeared dynamically based on donation amounts in OBS:

    http://everdraed.com/wat/fangTophat.webm   (3.98MB)

    http://everdraed.com/wat/fang14karat.webm  (889KB)

    http://everdraed.com/wat/fangHeadXplode.webm  (3.37MB)

    I think these are with default compression quality, they aren't particularly complex or long but 50MB for sub 20 seconds should be no problem.

    Also duder you should thank Dave for this, only reason I responded is 'cause I can't stand smug wrongness haha.

      C
      CRobertson1392Author
      Participating Frequently
      January 25, 2019

      Dudette*    But thank you so much! I knew there had to be something! I do have the webm plugin but I couldn’t find the alpha channel setting so I assumed it didn’t have one.

      ill Test it once I’m home and mark as correct if it works for me!

      jasontcox
      jasontcox
      Inspiring
      January 24, 2019

      Well, Dave was a bit dramatic but not entirely wrong either. It is VERY hard to get super small files with alpha channels but not impossible. BUT you didn't tell us ANYTHING about the important details of your project, such as resolution and length. Is it 5 seconds long or 5 mins long? Is it SD, HD, or 4K? If the video is SUPER short and/or not super high-res, then it's theoretically possible. But if you're trying to get 60 seconds of 4K video with an alpha down to 50 MB, it aint gonna happen lol.

      C
      CRobertson1392Author
      Participating Frequently
      January 24, 2019

      Sorry, guess I’ve just been so run down looking for a solution that’s kind of a catch all I forgot about this.

      None of my projects are over 20 seconds long. Hd is max resolution, I’m not interested in 4K.  30fps is What I use for all animations.

      Im wondering if I’m missing some crucial information that can help you guys help me. I KNOW it can be done. I have files to prove it. Im just at a loss of how to get it done.

      R
      Rick Gerard
      Braniac
      January 24, 2019

      Media players that play videos will not under any circumstances give you an alpha channel. There is no transparency if you use a media player to play your video on a web page. The only solution is to use a program like Animate or export an SVG from AE but SVG only really works if all your layers are vectors,

      Dave_LaRonde
      Dave_LaRonde
      Inspiring
      January 24, 2019

      CRobertson1392  wrote

      What can be done to achieve the goal of 50mb or less with alpha channel?

      You're not going to like this: NOTHING.  Codecs supporting alpha channels do not create such compact files.

      I'd get together with the person who will use this border and discuss:

      1) what the actual delivery requirements are or

      2) a Plan B to get this to work.

      C
      CRobertson1392Author
      Participating Frequently
      January 24, 2019

      I do not believe this to be true. As stated above I have a .mov file that is 19mb and has the same animation I work with. I am looking for a solution for all of my customers, not just a single one. There must be something else that can be done to achieve such a small file. Wether it be a different program or something else. I know it can be done.

      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices