Transfer mode not working with transparent images in compositions

[franzr75728275]

I have 2 layers (2 x the same png with transparency) in Aftereffects.

The upper layer has transfermode "Add"

Background is a red solid.

This is how it looks like:

When I precompose it the "Add" mode disappears:

When I hit "Continuous Rasterize" the "Add" mode comes back.

But when I add a mask to that compositon the "Add" mode is gone again.

The same happens when I add an effect.

Can anybody help?

Thanks.

BR,

Franz

[Rick Gerard]

Pretty sure this is normal behavior. What exactly are you trying to do? If you need to mask the top layer then you can apply the mask to a solid and use that as a track matte.

Cropped screenshots are almost useless. Without more detail, it's nearly impossible to suggest a workflow that will solve your problem. It could be as simple as just changing the blend mode of the pre-comp.

[Andrew Yoole]

Everything you've described is correct behaviour.

When you precompose the layer, the Add transfer mode is now in the precomp, not the main comp, so you don't see it.

When you collapse transformations of the precomp, the blending of the layer is now calculated in the main comp again, and the transfer mode is applied as if the layer were in the main comp.

When you apply an effect or mask to the precomp, you change the render pipeline and break the collapsed transformation, and thus lose your transfer mode again.

The solution is simply adequate planning to ensure you have structured your comps and precomps to allow transfer modes to interact with other layers, either in one comp or using precomps.

[franzr75728275]

Hey guys,

thanks for your fast reply.

I made a video to show what I exactly mean:

After Effects - transfer mode - YouTube

I need to import PSD files to After Effects that's why I'm planning a quick workflow.

Thanks,

Franz

[Rick Gerard]

Like we said, that is completely normal behavior. If you need masks then you have to put a solid above your nested comp (prep-comp), draw the mask on the new solid, then use that solid as a track matte for the nested comp.

[franzr75728275]

Hi Rick,

thanks for your reply.

I already tried track matte out last time.

I did it again now.

The result is the same as if I would do it directly with a mask on the nested comp.

Here are the settings:

Thanks.

[Roei Tzoref]

if you are using a track matte, you would need to turn the visibility off:

also check that there are no masks on the Precomp layer.

[franzr75728275]

Hi Roei,

sorry, I guess I played too much with the settings:

After Effects automatically hides the layer when you use track matte.

Still it doesn't work.

Everytime I create a new file to be sure that there are no errors.

I have uploaded the file here:

https://we.tl/t-VhlOYIi7Ir

Thanks,

Franz

[Roei Tzoref]

yes you are correct, track matte also cancels the blend mode in the precomp. you will need to create transparency in another way in the precomp and not outside of it.

[franzr75728275]

I just want to close that case:

The answer to my question is: it doesn't work.

Once the 2 layers are precomposed there is no way to make the transfer mode work when using a mask.

Even when you use a track matte.

If somebody has still a way to fix it I can send the file.

Thanks for your time,

Franz

[Roei Tzoref]

unfortunately this is a limitation of After Effects. when applying a mask, alpha matte, effect or layer style to a precomp - you lose the blend mode structure inside and can only use one blend mode for all the composite together.

I would offer this type of workaround if that suits you:
1. make your bg a precomp
2. place it in the inner precomp
3. place a duplicate of it in the master comp
now you can mask the precomp with collapse turned on

here's a project file:Blendmode+mask.aep - Google Drive

[franzr75728275]

Hi Roei,

thank you very much for your great idea. Unfortunately it works only good with one layer. When there are 2 layers overlapping there is an issue since the composition is not really transparent. You can see it in the example:

WeTransfer

My task is to create an animation out of a Photoshop file with many layers. Since there are no groups in Aftereffects I have to use precomps which leads to the problem I mentioned before.

Thanks again for your time and the effort you made with the Aftereffects file.

[Roei Tzoref · Accepted solution]

then there's no way around it and you are going to have to put everything in the same comp. you can create a more elegant setup if you use the set matte as a way to create transparency. make sure both the source and the matte are collapsed (sunburst switch) to make it work properly. like this:
Blendmode+mask+setmatte.aep - Google Drive

[franzr75728275]

Thanks Roi for your support. Even knowing that something doesn't work is already a great help.