I guess if it wasn't too long a sequence you could render it out in some other app as a stills sequence and bring that into VV as so many .pngs . Seems a lot of drama though for what should be an easy task.
I suspect part of the problem is the underlying DV spec, as I understand it its based arounf jpeg compression which isn't too good at supporting transparency even for stills.

You didn't say how you were creating the explosion/fly in -if you use Satish's shatter, you should be able to apply that to generated text.

You have to render uncompressed in order to save an Alpha channel.

Dave T2

If you want an AVI to support transparency it needs to be created uncompressed ( or at least that is the only way I have managed to date).

You could also try creating it in quicktime format if the host app support this as an animation type with millions+ colours will give a file with transparency and some compression.

If you create it in QT format I usually have to change the media properties to specify the alpha channel as straight (unmatted)

Regards, PAW

I've CK out the background to moving Text - works like a dream. I've also use the text itself as a mask with video inside it. The whole up against another video clip. G

I know you wrote that you don't want to blur the background. Maybe you built your timeline so it's impossible to work this out. But anyway - this answer is just to make sure you just haven't forgot about the track header on/off switch. If you add motion blur to the video bus you can turn it off in any video track header. This prevents motion blur being applied to that specific track. Then you can add keyframes to the motion blur spline so it will only be used when you want it to be used.

The other method already touched upon here is to create stills (png) which preserves the alpha information and then import to Vegas as an image sequence. I have not tried this myself so I'm not sure it will work. But go ahead!
Best/Tommy
www.stormstereo.com

Don’t forget, when you render uncompressed to check the Render alpha channel (uncompressed video formats only) checkbox on the Video tab of the Custom... dialog.

~jr

stormstereo,
I didn't know I could switch it off in the header! Everything is built on separate tracks so it'll be easy to do that..

The uncompressed AVI will be the way to go in the future, I suspected that would be the answer, I knew there must be some way to it.

Thanks everyone for your valuable input.

PS Anyone know of a way to PTT with an alpha channel?
I know I cannot do this with DV but I noticed the Bluefish HD cards can output alpha channel on a separate SDI feed. Anyone know of a VCR system that'll record that info, just as a matter of interest.

Wow, a seperate alpha out!? I'm guessing it's not for a VCR to record but to give some type of high end hardware the alpha information seperately. Probably good when working at Pixar or something. :)
Best/Tommy

I typed text on green background, add chroma key, and played with the thresholds. It's fast & easy.

Actually I believe some high end VCRs can record alpha channel info.
Sorry but when I can afford one I'll be too busy driving the Porsche that comes for free with them to be posting here :)

I've rendered compressed .avi with alpha from Ulead Cool3D.

When the file is brought into Vegas & loaded to the timeline alpha is not enabled, but if you right click on the media in the timeline, click on properties, go to the media tab & change the alpha channel drop down from none to straight (unmatted) you are in business.

Vonhosen, which codec and settings were you using?

PAW