#FLC: Transparent Bkgrnd
13 messages in this thread
Brian,
I believe I have the same question. When using a windows based authoring
program, (I use toolbook) are you saying that there is no way to identify a key
color for *.flc's?
The only reason I use an authoring tool is to provide interactivity for flics.
Is there anything I can use off the self to allow for transparancy? You
mentioned AVIs How do I get from flc to avi?
I was hoping animator studio would provide something similar to the
scripting available in aapro but with a little more sophistication
and the ability to use a key color in windows. The feature list for
ani studio didnt mention it. Is there a recommended authoring tool
which is friendly to flics?
<<When using a windows based authoring program, (I use toolbook) are
you saying that there is no way to identify a key color for *.flc's?
>>
Sorry, but correct. The pallete being used in the FLC is not following
the same rules as the Windows pallete. The format and programming
tools will not support tranperency. This falls under the domain of
sprite animation.
<< You mentioned AVIs How do I get from flc to avi?>>
AVI is a format which DOES support tranparency in Windows. I just
wrote an article in the upcomming issue of Planet Studio on how to
convert from one to the other. (Shameless plug, I know <g>)
In brief, there are a few packages that will convert for you. If you
have Vid for Windows, it will read the FLC file directly. If not, a
program like Premier or Razor could convert it for you. On the free
side, Graphic Workshop or VFD here on CIS can do it. A plethora (nice
word, huh?) of choices.
Planet Studio? do tell! I must add to the plethora (you're right) of
reading material I need to skim through just to keep my head above
water er.. ah.. coffee.
Planet Studio can be reached at 800-441-4403. I'm not in the office so
I don't have any other info, but others on the forum can give more
contact details.
<<When using a windows based authoring program, (I use toolbook) are you saying
that there is no way to identify a key color for *.flc's? >>
>Sorry, but correct. The pallete being used in the FLC is not following the
same rules as the Windows pallete. The format and programming tools will not
support tranperency. T
Hello Brian, pardon me for jumping in, but you MAY have just answered the
question I was about to ask here on C$ – Just to make sure:
I've been trying to get *.fli/c's to "play" in MS Powerpoint. That happens sort
of OK when I insert them as a media clip, but what I really want is for them to
appear keyed into the background of the slide, in other words, I want them to
overlay the slide material with the key color showing the slide material
underneath (clear as mud?)
What I get is a Window "box" with the clip in it and the title of the clip in
the top of the box. Setting the options for "no border" and "no title" don't
seem to have any effect, as they do on my system with the *.avi player. I've
converted the palette using aaplay and saved the changed fli, gets rid of the
color "flash" that happens otherwise when I try to play the unconverted clip.
But I still can't seem to get the transparent key color to work. Is my problem
the same as the question you just answered here? (ie that the mciaap drv does
not support transparent keys?)
Also, I notice that my Windows AA driver "mciaap.drv" is dated about Oct 91! Is
this the latest one? The driver applet calls it Animation1. Is there a newer
one available? Would it make any difference?
Thanks for answering these "newbie" questions. I'm on my way to the files
library here.
George Plhak, FastForward Media, Toronto.
<< when I insert them as a media clip, but what I really want is for them to
appear keyed into the background of the slide, in other words, I want them to
overlay the slide material with the key color showing the slide material
underneath >>
As you have surmised, this is not possible. This is due to the way the Player
and FLC format is written. If this effect is ABSOLUTELY nesessary, then you
will need to switch to AVI or something else.
<<What I get is a Window "box" with the clip in it and the title of the clip in
the top of the box. Setting the options for "no border" and "no title" don't
seem to have any effect, as they do on my system with the *.avi player.>>
No, you can't change the border and title either. The reason for this is you
are not actually calling up the media player, which is what powerpoint
controls. You are calling up the media player, which in turn is calling up the
Autodesk Windows player. The settings for no border or title have no effect,
since the window displayed is not actually a media clip window.
<<But I still can't seem to get the transparent key color to work. Is my
problem the same as the question you just answered here? (ie that the mciaap
drv does not support transparent keys?)>>
Yes.
<<Also, I notice that my Windows AA driver "mciaap.drv" is dated about Oct 91!
Is this the latest one? The driver applet calls it Animation1. Is there a newer
one available? Would it make any difference?>>
You have the latest.
<<,Thanks for answering these "newbie" questions. I'm on my way to the files
library here.>>
That's why we're here. Make sure to download FLICIN.TXT. I don't think it will
give you any information you don't already have, but just in case…
-Brian
Thanks Brian, as you suggested, I was on the right track. Since I left this
message, I have also tried to convert a .fli to a .avi using Premiere and the
funny part is, I can't get the .avi to key either?? I used Mr. Numo. I realize
that this is not one of your products, but do you happen to know if there is
something I need to do to make black the key colour in an .avi so that
Powerpoint will understand that I want the background transparent?
Thanks again for the info. I downloaded FLICIN.TXT and it seems to be saying
that I should download the new MCIAPP.DRV, but if you say its not later than
the '91 version I have, then I won't bother.
George Plhak, FastForward Media, Toronto.
Although I have been told that the AVI format supports transparency, I
have never done it myself. However I have told several people this,
and no one has come back to say it didn't work.
Perhaps during the transition, the background values were changed so
they are no longer pure black. Other than that, I don't know what
could be wrong.
Try it with another AVI file, possibly one that they provide, and see
if it works. That will tell us whether the problem is the file or the
technique being used.
OK, I'll experiment further and report back. If you do get a chance
to try as well, I'd appreciate your letting me know. It may be an
issue for you since the new Animator Studio supports .AVI's?
<< It may be an issue for you since the new Animator Studio supports .AVI's?>>
Definitely. I will experiment with this when I have an opportunity this week.In
the meantime, if you have any success, please share it with us on the forum.
-Brian
Our SmackScript scripter has options for playing back
transparently.
In a windows based authoring tool? Please say yes!
-RC
Rich:
Windows in two weeks!
->Jeff