Trying to bring in a lower third video into MAGIX movie studio 2023 Platinum, with an alpha channel, to lay over existing footage. MOV nor webm files do not seem to work. The background doesn't drop out. Any workarounds, tricks, methods, or tips? Thnx
I don't know if this has been fixed in Movie Studio 2023 or not but the 2022 version doesn't handle the alpha channel in such files well. It does work in VPX 14 but may be file type dependant as there are a lot of variations to those wrappers. I tend to have the 'Use Alpha channel in source material' ticked and use the black overlay setting.
Ray.
Hi
Movie Studio (MMS) 2023 does import video with Alpha channel, however not all formats of encoding work
For the MOV files you need Quicktime installing.
If the issue persists, download and install MediaInfo and analyse one of the clips and post the results, see this tutorial on how to setup MediaInfo and analyse a video clip for all the data required.
Webm is designed for use on websites and is a container file format which can have several different video encoding format and tend to be highly compressed which may lead to poor quality when using them in a video editor.
Analyse a Webm file using MediaInfo and post the results.
I use AVI RGBA encoded video, the Alpha channel being recognised and applied on import.
HTH
John EB
Forum Moderator.
Hi John.
Has this been fixed then in MS2023 because I'm not convinced it works 100% with Ms 2022. Some ProRes files will not combine the alpha layer correctly.
This is the MediaInfo for that file.
General
Complete name : G:\Boris Effects particle renders\Epxlosion Pro Res 422 Pal resolution.mov
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : QuickTime
Codec ID : qt 2005.03 (qt )
File size : 163 MiB
Duration : 5 s 680 ms
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 241 Mb/s
Encoded date : UTC 2022-05-01 13:38:30
Tagged date : UTC 2022-05-01 13:39:04
Video
ID : 1
Format : ProRes
Format version : Version 0
Format profile : 422 HQ
Codec ID : apch
Duration : 5 s 680 ms
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 241 Mb/s
Width : 3 840 pixels
Height : 2 160 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 50.000 FPS
Color space : YUV
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:2
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.580
Stream size : 163 MiB (100%)
Writing library : bofx
Encoded date : UTC 2022-05-01 13:38:30
Tagged date : UTC 2022-05-01 13:39:04
Color primaries : BT.709
Transfer characteristics : BT.709
Matrix coefficients : BT.709
Other
ID : 2
Type : Time code
Format : QuickTime TC
Duration : 5 s 680 ms
Bit rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 50.000 FPS
Time code of first frame : 00:00:00:00
Time code of last frame : 00:00:05:33
Time code, stripped : Yes
Title : Tape
Encoded date : UTC 2022-05-01 13:38:31
Tagged date : UTC 2022-05-01 13:38:31
Whereas the next file works OKish but only when using Chroma Key Mix in MEP 2022.
General
Complete name : G:\Boris Effects particle renders\Double Boom.mov
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : QuickTime
Codec ID : qt 2005.03 (qt )
File size : 199 MiB
Duration : 4 s 400 ms
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 379 Mb/s
Encoded date : UTC 2022-05-05 09:01:53
Tagged date : UTC 2022-05-05 09:02:21
Video
ID : 1
Format : ProRes
Format version : Version 1
Format profile : 4444
Codec ID : ap4h
Duration : 4 s 400 ms
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 379 Mb/s
Width : 3 840 pixels
Height : 2 160 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 50.000 FPS
Color space : YUVA
Chroma subsampling : 4:4:4
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.913
Stream size : 199 MiB (100%)
Writing library : bofx
Encoded date : UTC 2022-05-05 09:01:53
Tagged date : UTC 2022-05-05 09:02:21
Color primaries : BT.709
Transfer characteristics : BT.709
Matrix coefficients : BT.709
Other
ID : 2
Type : Time code
Format : QuickTime TC
Duration : 4 s 400 ms
Bit rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 50.000 FPS
Time code of first frame : 00:00:00:00
Time code of last frame : 00:00:04:19
Time code, stripped : Yes
Title : Tape
Encoded date : UTC 2022-05-05 09:01:53
Tagged date : UTC 2022-05-05 09:01:53
Whereas other file types fare better but still have problems. such as this file.
General
Complete name : G:\Boris Effects particle renders\Double Boom.mov
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : QuickTime
Codec ID : qt 2005.03 (qt )
File size : 199 MiB
Duration : 4 s 400 ms
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 379 Mb/s
Encoded date : UTC 2022-05-05 09:01:53
Tagged date : UTC 2022-05-05 09:02:21
Video
ID : 1
Format : ProRes
Format version : Version 1
Format profile : 4444
Codec ID : ap4h
Duration : 4 s 400 ms
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 379 Mb/s
Width : 3 840 pixels
Height : 2 160 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 50.000 FPS
Color space : YUVA
Chroma subsampling : 4:4:4
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.913
Stream size : 199 MiB (100%)
Writing library : bofx
Encoded date : UTC 2022-05-05 09:01:53
Tagged date : UTC 2022-05-05 09:02:21
Color primaries : BT.709
Transfer characteristics : BT.709
Matrix coefficients : BT.709
Other
ID : 2
Type : Time code
Format : QuickTime TC
Duration : 4 s 400 ms
Bit rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 50.000 FPS
Time code of first frame : 00:00:00:00
Time code of last frame : 00:00:04:19
Time code, stripped : Yes
Title : Tape
Encoded date : UTC 2022-05-05 09:01:53
Tagged date : UTC 2022-05-05 09:01:53
Have a look at how what I assume are different parts of the file are read and placed in different positions producing a combing effect with some settings. I think only the alpha channel is being read correctly.
Ray.
Hi Ray
Both the Prores files do not have an Alpha channel ie
Chroma subsampling : 4:2:2
Chroma subsampling : 4:4:4
To include an Alpha channel, which 4:2:2 does not support, select one of the 4:4:4:4 options - ie:
HTH
John EB.
Hi John.
I can make any of the files I have tested available via Google drive.
I have just made a further file with the settings outlined in the image below.
Data from the new file.
General
Complete name : G:\Boris Effects particle renders\another alpha explosion.mov
Format : MPEG-4
Format profile : QuickTime
Codec ID : qt 2005.03 (qt )
File size : 148 MiB
Duration : 3 s 960 ms
Overall bit rate mode : Variable
Overall bit rate : 314 Mb/s
Encoded date : UTC 2023-03-06 12:40:56
Tagged date : UTC 2023-03-06 12:41:16
Video
ID : 1
Format : ProRes
Format version : Version 1
Format profile : 4444
Codec ID : ap4h
Duration : 3 s 960 ms
Bit rate mode : Variable
Bit rate : 314 Mb/s
Width : 3 840 pixels
Height : 2 160 pixels
Display aspect ratio : 16:9
Frame rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 50.000 FPS
Color space : YUVA
Chroma subsampling : 4:4:4
Scan type : Progressive
Bits/(Pixel*Frame) : 0.757
Stream size : 148 MiB (100%)
Writing library : bofx
Encoded date : UTC 2023-03-06 12:40:56
Tagged date : UTC 2023-03-06 12:41:16
Color primaries : BT.709
Transfer characteristics : BT.709
Matrix coefficients : BT.709
Other
ID : 2
Type : Time code
Format : QuickTime TC
Duration : 3 s 960 ms
Bit rate mode : Constant
Frame rate : 50.000 FPS
Time code of first frame : 00:00:00:00
Time code of last frame : 00:00:03:47
Time code, stripped : Yes
Title : Tape
Encoded date : UTC 2023-03-06 12:40:56
Tagged date : UTC 2023-03-06 12:40:56
The other three boxes show previous export settings I've tried in the past.
When imported it does not need the Chroma Key to have a transparent background yes?
But there are problems if you try to use Chroma key as shown below. Why does the image jump to one side? Please ignore the fact I have used SPR as it happens regardless of using that or not. At the end I point to a previous file which often doesn't import properly at all but does need help from the Chroma key to work.
None of these problems are plaguing VPX 14 although they did effect VPX12.
Ray.
Hi Ray
MediaInfo looks like is not picking up the Alpha channel data correctly for any of the 3 export formats - possibly because the encoding is YUVA and not RGBA
I am puzzled as to why you are adding Chromakey to the 'another alpha explosion.mov' object - it looks like the Alpha channel is already working - I have tried this with all 3 4444 export presets and they all work as intended.
Applying Chromakey again to an object with, an Alpha channel already incorporated, can give unpredictable results..
If you are trying to reverse the Alpha effect then the way to do this is to do 2 exports from Particle Illusion as h.264 - one as the RGB channels and the other the Alpha channel and use them as shown below -
John EB
Hi John.
Sorry for the late reply. I've been busy cloning drives. 😅
Sometimes the outer edges of an effect is too dark or expands too far away from the main body of the effect. That may be a separate subject though.
Ray.