Adding transparent text (newbie)

Stiffler wrote on 3/14/2002, 1:33 AM

Hi, I seached for my answer...

Sonic's reply to someone on 8/20/01:
"If you are generating the text in videofactory, set the text backgound color to zero alpha, which will make the background transparent."

I did that, but it doesn't show up that way in the preview window, it just goes to a black background. Do I have to render it for the transparency to apply?

Also, I have never understood the 2 video tracks. To me, the top (overlay) track seems to be the 'master'?? (The one that really matters?) How should I be using the other track? Is it just for laying out my editing?

Thanks, Jon

Comments

jimcho wrote on 3/14/2002, 1:59 AM

Jon,

To add text with a transparent background, just drag one of the text items with a checkerboard background onto the overlay track. It will then appear on any video you have on the video track.

Imagine that you're looking down from the top. You'll see what is on the overlay track unless there is some transparency in the overlay video. You can use the event opacity (drag down from top of event) to make it partially tranparent. You can use the cookie cutter to mask out a portion of the overlay event. You can also use one of the alpha-keyed videos from the content CD and set the alpha channel so that the black portion is transparent.

Chienworks wrote on 3/14/2002, 11:11 AM

Jon, the lower video track is the main one you should be using most of the time. The upper track is an "overlay" track, which is to be used to put things (like text) on top of the main track.

Stiffler wrote on 3/15/2002, 2:19 AM

Got it. Thanks for your help.