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Microstock Photography Forum - General => Software => Topic started by: PinHead on March 11, 2018, 11:30

Title: After Effects technical question
Post by: PinHead on March 11, 2018, 11:30
Is there anyway to export a video with transparent background and keep the transparency grid as a reference background for the alpha channel,instead of having black, white or any other color in the output video ?? In other words I need that transparency grid in the output of my clips    
and also preserve transparency.
Title: Re: After Effects technical question
Post by: increasingdifficulty on March 11, 2018, 11:50
I'm guessing you want to show a checkered background in preview videos, correct?

Just use the Checkerboard effect or screenshot AE's internal placeholder background.

For the real clip that customers download, don't include any checkerboards.
Title: Re: After Effects technical question
Post by: SpaceStockFootage on March 11, 2018, 11:51
No. You can only export with solid colours. Not sure why you'd want to though? If it;s for preview videos and the like... you can easily create your own grid. Just create a solid that's light grey (25% black 75% white). On top of that, add a layer that's 100% white. Then to that white layer, add the checkerboard effect that you'll find in the generate effects menu. Alter the size of the squares as required and you're good to go. To save time the next time you do it, you can render out just the checkerboard and drag it behind your shot. There's no transparency, but you'll get the right look.

I was beaten to the post!
Title: Re: After Effects technical question
Post by: increasingdifficulty on March 11, 2018, 11:52
I was beaten to the post!

 ;)
Title: Re: After Effects technical question
Post by: Stockmaan on March 11, 2018, 12:09
 :)
Title: Re: After Effects technical question
Post by: PinHead on March 11, 2018, 12:11
No. You can only export with solid colours. Not sure why you'd want to though? If it;s for preview videos and the like... you can easily create your own grid. Just create a solid that's light grey (25% black 75% white). On top of that, add a layer that's 100% white. Then to that white layer, add the checkerboard effect that you'll find in the generate effects menu. Alter the size of the squares as required and you're good to go. To save time the next time you do it, you can render out just the checkerboard and drag it behind your shot. There's no transparency, but you'll get the right look.

I was beaten to the post!

So, it is not possible to render that grid  :( I have exported thousands of clips and I did not need that grid, but today one of my clients asked for that grid(as a reference background) to the animation i did for them and I got stuck.   
I do not understand why they need that grid but it asked me explicitly...no other color . I know the method with checkerboard effect but will not help me with the output
Title: Re: After Effects technical question
Post by: SpaceStockFootage on March 12, 2018, 02:43
Sending him both should address any valid reasons he has for needing it. I.e. the clip with transparency and the clip with the grid but without transparency.

I mean, if he's using the clip in editing software the grid will be there anyway. If he's using the clip in some kind of player, then it won't... but he can't do anything with the transparent clip just in the player anyway.

The best way to sort it is to find out exactly why he needs that and address it accordingly... he probably doesn't need what he thinks he needs.