Is there a way to ecport a title from Title Tool without losing the alpha channel? (I mean really exporting, out of Avid, obviously)

Any suggestion !

I don't think you can do it in 1 step. You could save the title and the alpha seperate and combine them again in photoshop. But I'm also hoping there is another solution.

Yes, of course, that would be a workaround, but means to bring the title in the timeline, step in, match frame the alpha, export the alpha, export the title, and recombine later. I have many titles on a show that were created with the title tool. Now my client considers that these titles look poor. I proposed some Photoshop glow Fx, (kind of typical Photoshop Fx, not available on BCC or Sapphire). Client is OK, but I will spend huge time which can't be billed ! 

In general ALPHA is a TREMENDOUS problem on Avid. 

What you can do is to save as from the title tool to the desktop.  This will export direct from the title tool as a pict w/alpha.  You can import and choose to invert, ignore or use existing alpha.  An additional benefit is you can select the length of the import.

Thanks for your reply mvegas

Are you sure about the pict with alpha ? I have tried this, but once in Photoshop, no alpha channel shows up ! There are no export settings out of the Title Tool, or I simply miss something somewhere.

Should clarify some. The Avid title tool embeds an alpha channel by default. Exporting the title to the desktop from the title tool lets you choose to ignore existing alpha on import. You can also choose to save normally and do a video mixdown of the title. In either case, you will have a new masterclip of the title slate and you can auto-nest effects. To export from the title tool go to the file pulldown menu when the title tool is open.

HTH

mvegas, I agree with you...when you export a title from within the title tool, you get an image which contains the alpha.  This, as you said, is evidenced by re-importing that file back into a bin, and seeing it as a proper two-part matte key effect.  It also shows "Has Alpha: 1" in the file info in some image apps.

But the real question is why we do not see that alpha channel when that file is loaded into Photoshop?

feincut:

But the real question is why we do not see that alpha channel when that file is loaded into Photoshop?

That's indeed my concern !

  There is an alpha exported, and Photoshop does recognize it. 

   I just exported a title, from the Avid title tool, in both our Xpress Pro v5.6.3 and Xpress Meridien v6.1.1 (I haven't checked on our MC system, but I assume if Xpress can do it MC can).  Saved it as the only option--PICT--then opened the PICT file in both Photoshop 7 and CS2.  There was an alpha in both.  The title was on a black background, but if you looked under the Channels tab there was an Alpha channel.  Check again.

Michael.

Yes Michael, you're right, the Pict exports the alpha channel and Photoshop "sees" tha alpha ! I am familiar with transparent (checkernoard) background when I have an alpha (created) in Photoshop; So here are some of my Photoshop knowledge limitations. How do I allow transparency to a layer with an alpha channel in Photoshop. Layer 1 background, layer 2, this Pict picture + trnasparent alpha. I most likely will find it, but an advice may save time. 

I'm not exactly sure what you're asking.  If you're wanting to take your Pict file and remove the black matte, double click the Background layer (which should be the title on black when you first open it), name it if you want, then hit OK.  This will make it an editable layer.  Go to your Channels Tab, Ctrl+Click the Alpha, hit delete.  It will remove the black matte and you'll be left with just the title on a transparency.  Now you can add additional effects, more layers, etc...without that pesky black. 

 

Is this what you're wanting to do, or did I completely misunderstand you?  Sorry if i did!

 

Mike.

That's it, THANKS Michael !

No problem.  Glad to help.

 

M.

This also will be an interesting info for Greg.

Indeed Mvegas was right!