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A
Anonymous
January 19, 2012
Question

How do I "activate" the alpha channel on my Tif file

  • January 19, 2012
  • 2 replies
  • 32410 views

Hi

Using CS5

I have a tif file which has an alpha channel.  

If I put it on a layer the alpha is black.   What do I need to do to make the alpha transparent so I can see the layer below it.


Thanks


Rowby

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    2 replies

    D
    Dave Merchant
    Legend
    January 20, 2012

    I wonder if it's working but you're not seeing what you expect: Unlike Photoshop (and After Effects), Premiere doesn't show a transparency grid on the monitors. If you place a track with an alpha channel onto a timeline and there's nothing else below it to see through the pixels, the transparent areas will show as black. You can switch to alpha channel mode (right-click the monitor) but then you only see the mask.

    Same in the preview thumbnail above the project bins - alpha = black.

    J
    joe_bloe_premiere
    Inspiring
    January 19, 2012

    If your .tif file truly has an alpha channel, it should be

    recognized and applied by default on import to Premiere.

    You can check if the alpha has been disabled or inverted

    by selecting the .tif file in the Project window, and then:

    Modify > Interpret Footage > Alpha Channel

    A
    Anonymous
    January 20, 2012

    Thanks, Joe

    Hmmmm....

    The file definately has a transparent alpha channel.  I opened it up in Fireworks and I could clearly see the transparency.  As a further test saved the TIF as a png and exported it as a png with the transparency clearly visible.


    But when I the png (and the tif) put it into premiere the transparency becomes black. 

    As you suggested I did the modify interpert footage -- and it apparently shows that the tif/png has an alpha channel.

    Please see screen captures where premiere identifies it as having an alpha channel but gives it a black background.  

    ????

    Thanks

    Rowby

    J
    joe_bloe_premiere
    Inspiring
    January 20, 2012

    I opened it up in Firefox and I could clearly see the transparency.

    As you suggested I did the modify interpert footage -- and it apparently shows that the tif/png has an alpha channel.

    Premiere isn't very smart regarding alpha.

    The alpha options will appear in the Interpret Footage menu

    even if the selected media file does not have an alpha channel.

    Have you opened the file in Ae or Photoshop to confirm the alpha?

    If you rendered the alpha as 'premultiplied' in the .tif that isn't working,

    you might try re-rendering with 'straight' alpha instead and test.

    Premiere assumes all alpha channels should be interpreted as 'straight'.

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