The BCC Alpha Process filter blurs the alpha channel of an image, performs levels and gammaΒ correction on the output of the blur, and composites the output alpha with the initial alphaΒ using the chosen apply mode. The filter also allows you to soften the matte by blurring theΒ alpha channel after it is processed.
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| Source Image | Alpha Matte Image | White Level Adjusted Image |
Function
Presets and Common Controls
BCC filters come with a library of factory installed presets plus the ability to create your own custom presets and preview them Β with the BCC FX Browserβ’.
BCC filters also include common controls that configure global effect preferences and other host-specific effect settings.
For more information about working with presets and other common controls,Β Click Here.
Compare Mode
The BCC Compare Mode provides a convenient mechanism to compare the effect result with the original source layer. It provides several variations on basic split-screen views with the filtered clip placed next to the unedited original.
For more information on the Compare Mode, Click Here. Β
Lock Blurriness: Clicking this check box locks blurring to a horizontal scale.
HorizontalΒ BlurΒ andVerticalΒ BlurΒ control the amount of blur applied to the alpha channel inΒ each direction. Click theΒ Lock BlurrinessΒ checkboxΒ to lock the Vertical Blur value to theΒ Horizontal Blur.
Black Level sets the alpha values in the matte that are treated as pure black (transparent) byΒ the filter. All pixels whose alpha value is lower than the Black Level value are output asΒ transparent. For example, if Black Level is set to 50, all pixels with a value of 50 or less areΒ output to a value of 0. Increasing Black Level can help eliminate unwanted gray (semitransparent)Β areas in the background.
White Level sets the alpha values in the matte that are treated as pure white (opaque) by theΒ filter. Β All pixels whose alpha value is higher than the White Level value are output asΒ opaque. For example, if White Level is set to 200, all pixels with a value of 200 or more areΒ output to a value of 255. Lowering White Level can help eliminate unwanted semitransparentΒ areas from the foreground.
Gamma controls the slope of the curve used to convert input color values to output valuesΒ in pixels brighter than Input Black and darker than Input White. Increasing Gamma fromΒ the default of 100 lightens the image and reduces contrast. Decreasing Gamma darkens theΒ image and increases contrast.
- Note: For descriptions of all the possible Apply Modes, Click Here.
Apply Mix controls the mix of the specified Apply Mode with theΒ NormalΒ apply mode. IfΒ the Apply Mode is Normal, Apply Mix has no affect and the parameter does not appear. IfΒ Apply Mix is 0, Apply Mode has no affect. Increase Apply Mix to blend the Apply ModeΒ setting with the Normal apply mode.
Post Blur blurs the alpha channel after it is processed. Use Post Blur to soften the edges ofΒ the matte for sources with high-contrast edges. Post Blur is also useful for eliminatingΒ artifacts produced when using an apply mode to create a complex alpha composite.
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| Post Blur Image=0 | Post Blur Image |
TheΒ Blur QualityΒ menuΒ has seven settings. Blur Quality affects Post Blur as well as the initialΒ Horizontal and Vertical Blur.Β PyramidΒ is the fastest option and is generally adequate. ItΒ produces a blur similar in quality to the Pyramid Blur filter.Β Pyramid SmootherΒ produces aΒ better quality pyramid blur and increases rendering times slightly.Β The remaining choices,Β GaussianΒ Low,Β GaussianΒ Medium,Β GaussianΒ High, GaussianΒ Higher, andΒ GaussianΒ HighestΒ produce Gaussian blurs of increasing quality. These options increase rendering timesΒ proportionately.
TheΒ View MatteΒ check boxΒ allows you to view the matte as you adjust it. Be sure to deselectΒ this option before rendering.
Mix with Originalblends the source and filtered images. Use this parameter to animate theΒ effect from the unfiltered to the filtered image without adjusting other settings, or to reduceΒ the affect of the filter by mixing it with the source image.
PixelChooser
The BCC PixelChooser provides simple, built-in masking of the effect result. Β The PixelChooser is generally used to select a portion of the image and restrict an effect to just the selected area while maintaining the original image content in unselected regions. Β The selection can be based on geometric shapes or on the imageβs luma/color properties.
For more information on the PixelChooser,Β Click Here.