topic Re: Export timeline text with alpha in Flame Forum

Export timeline text with alpha

-cicero — Wed, 01 Aug 2018 14:42:32 GMT

Hi all

I am creating simple captions using timeline Text effect and need to export these as EXRs with embedded alphas for use in another suite. What is the quickest, simplest way of doing this?

At the moment I am doing this:

- create text on gap

- duplicate text to working area

- highlight text segment on timeline, Contain

- Add Matte, choose duplicate as matte

- Open matte container, go in and edit top layer text (matte)

- make fill, shadow etc white

- Export matte container

It kind of mostly works, although seems extremely buggy (black holes sometimes, dissolves don't always work etc) and is very laborious. Anyone know of a slicker and more reliable way?

Thanks

Re: Export timeline text with alpha

-cicero — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 11:31:41 GMT

(bump)

Any ideas on this anyone? Still struggling with very buggy behaviour and the whole process seems clunky as hell even when it does work...!

Thanks

(Flame Prem 2018.3.0.223)

Re: Export timeline text with alpha

Grant.Kay — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 12:00:13 GMT

Hi,

I have just done a test in Flame 2019.1 and it is much easier than what you described in your original post.

I created a text gap in an empty sequence. I applied the TimelineFX to the segment and I set the Text mini-toolbar to be RGBA instead of RGB (very important!). I entered the text editor and typed text. I checked the matte view and I can see a matte/alpha.

I exit the editor and take my clip into the MediaHub.

I drag the sequence clip to my designated folder and the export menu appears. I chose file sequence and OpenEXR as my file preference. In the Advanced Options under Video, I ensured that INCLUDE ALPHA is enabled.

I exported the clip and I get a sequence with a multi-tag. I expand the multi-tag by clicking on it and I see the fill and alpha.

In your case there should be no need for matte containers or anything else. Just create your text, ensure its set to output RGBA and it works.

Please hit the Accept as Solution button if my post fully solves your issue or answers your question.

Regards

Grant

Re: Export timeline text with alpha

-cicero — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 13:38:53 GMT

Hi Grant, thanks for your response. The method using text set to RGBA is much simpler than building a container, so that's a great time saver (I had tried this previously but it hadn't worked consistently so I'd presumed it wasn't the right approach). I presume the right Advanced setting to enable is Multi Channel?

It's still unreliable though - sometimes it exports properly but sometimes the alpha is full frame white. Trying to export the same clip twice without changing any settings will not always produce the same result, so I have to keep repeating the export until it works. Feels like a bug? I'm working UHD 23.98 EXRs in ACEScg if that makes a difference.

Cheers

Re: Export timeline text with alpha

Grant.Kay — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 13:58:30 GMT

Hi cicero,

This method has been developed and hopefully implemented properly over the last few versions of Flame. I have been working with Flame 2019.1 and it has been pretty consistent for me.

In terms of the export settings, you can use any image format that supports alpha -- TGA, TIFF etc... you just need to use INCLUDE ALPHA. If you are intending on using the EXR with multiple channels (ie: more than just 1 fill and 1 alpha), you would INCLUDE ALPHA as well as enable MULTI-CHANNEL.

I have tried exporting the same clip with your settings multiple times and the results are consistent and my text setting is set to RGBA as well.

If this is still persisting for you, please contact Autodesk Support through your Autodesk account to have this formal logged and investigated.

Please hit the Accept as Solution button if my post fully solves your issue or answers your question.

Regards

Grant

Re: Export timeline text with alpha

-cicero — Mon, 01 Oct 2018 14:15:55 GMT

Thanks for the info Grant. I can't find the INCLUDE ALPHA setting in the export window but I'll persevere using MULTI CHANNEL....

Re: Export timeline text with alpha

Grant.Kay — Tue, 02 Oct 2018 10:04:47 GMT

Hi Cicero,

Multi-Channel will work but I am looking at the INCLUDE ALPHA button under the MULTI-CHANNEL button now.

I am using Flame 2019.1. It's normally available for image formats that support alpha. If the image format does not support alpha, like JPEG, than the button is there but greyed out.

If things don't seem right, please contact support and let us know.

Regards

Grant

Re: Export timeline text with alpha

-cicero — Tue, 02 Oct 2018 10:38:01 GMT

I'm still on 2018.3 and don't have access to 2019, but comparing the two user guides it looks like the INCLUDE ALPHA button on the export settings window is a new addition.... which explains why I can't see it yet!

Thanks for your help Grant.

Re: Export timeline text with alpha

Anonymous — Thu, 21 Mar 2019 19:28:52 GMT

I had the same problem and found that "comp" needed to be turned on when exporting. I am doing a title sequence that will be keyed over picture in Baselight for opening credits sequence. So I built the titles with fades and exported a ProRes 4444 with Alpha channel. When comping in Baselight be sure to pre-multiply the Alpha.

Re: Export timeline text with alpha

rhiltzik — Thu, 12 May 2022 18:33:51 GMT

Hello Grant

I am trying to export a layer that I built in a tl bfx

its title treatments to be keyed over footage in resolve.

there are several cards with gaps between them.

I am able to see the alpha in the viewer.

I export the layer as tiffs, include alpha is turned on.

the resulting clip shows the alpha for each of the cards.

However, the alpha for the gaps are all white. so it blacks out the footage being keyed over.

What can I do?

Thanks

Richard Hiltzik

Warner Bros MPI

Re: Export timeline text with alpha

slabrie — Thu, 12 May 2022 19:24:21 GMT

Richard, which version of Flame do you run? We have made many fixes and improvements in 2022.2 update about Alpha management and export so the behavior you are talking about is no more the case in this version (Alpha for gap would be black)

Re: Export timeline text with alpha

rhiltzik — Thu, 12 May 2022 22:07:05 GMT

Thanks, Stephane

I'm running 2022.1 on a Z840 with 2 p6000 cards

I will try to get 2023.1 installed soon.