Avi with alpha channel

[hhnguyen]

Can I export animation in avi file with alpha channel with Xara 3D 7?

Thanks

[simsmj]

Hello, and welcome to the forum, Hhnguyen. As far as I can see it doesn't. The avi export option offers 256 colour, or 24-bit.

Mike

[gwpriester]

There is a new a new CFX file format, Magix proprietary file format, that supports alpha channel transparency. But as far as I know, it only works with Magix video editing applications.

[Soquili]

Reading the X3DM7 help file indicates that exporting to CFX produces two files. The AVI animation and the CFX file containing the transparency information for the MAGIX movie editing software.

Exporting transparent title animations for movies
If you plan to export a Xara 3D Maker animation to a MAGIX movie editing program, for example as a title or caption to play on top of a movie, your animation will need a transparent background.

The standard AVI export in exports an animation with a solid background, covering the movie behind it. To play it on top of a movie, you'll need a video effect (called chroma keying or blue screen) to remove the background.

In this case, export the animation as a CFX file. This is a special file format used in MAGIX movie editing and slide show programs. As well as containing a reference to the exported AVI file, the CFX file holds all the transparency information you need to allow you to blend your animation perfectly with the movie.

To export your animation as a .cfx file choose the file format "MAGIX CFX (*.cfx)" in the "Export Animation" dialog.

The transparent titles consist of the .cfx file and the associated AVI file which contains the animation movie. The .cfx file contains the background transparency information. All AVI files are stored in Documents and Settings\<User>\Local Settings\Application Data\Xara\Xara3D7\AVI_CFX (WIndows XP) or Users\<User>\AppData\Local\Xara\Xara3D7\AVI_CFX (Windows 7 and Windows Vista). The files must not be deleted or moved from there, otherwise the .cfx files will not work. However, the .cfx files can be stored in the video project folder or anywhere else.

Note: Substitute your own user name for <User> in the above file paths.
In the MAGIX slide show or video editing programs, the .cfx file has to be loaded via the Media Pool. The Timeline Mode has to be active. Then you can drag the files into the timeline and they will be placed on the title track automatically.

To use .cfx files in MAGIX programs, you need at least the following versions of the program: MAGIX Movies on CD & DVD 6, MAGIX Xtreme Photostory on CD & DVD 6, MAGIX Movies2Go Version 2, MAGIX Movie Edit Pro 14.

[hhnguyen]

Thank you all for your inputs