The Alpha Channel: View filter is intended for temporary use to assist in visualizing the alpha (transparency) channel of your video. It’s particularly useful for fine-tuning transparency effects, chroma keying, and masking operations.
It displays the transparency information of your clip, making it easier to see which areas are transparent and which are opaque.
See the Glossary/Terminology page to learn more about Alpha Channels.
The Alpha Channel: View filter was added in Shotcut version 16.01
How to Use the Alpha Channel: View Filter
- Add the Filter: In the Filters panel, search for the “Alpha Channel: View” filter and add it to your video clip.
- Choose a Display option: The filter will display the alpha channel of your clip differently depending on the Display option you choose.
To show the difference between the Display options, we will use this sample project: A fully opaque image on track V1 and a clip with transparencies on track V2.
Display options
Gray Alpha
Shows the alpha channel as a grayscale image, where white areas are fully opaque, black areas are fully transparent, and shades of gray represent varying levels of transparency.
Red & Gray Alpha
Shows the fully transparent pixels in gray and overlays a red-pink color over the other pixels in the image. The intensity of the red-pink color varies according to the level of transparency.
Checkered Background
Shows a checkered background under the transparent and translucent areas.
Black, Gray or White Background
Shows a black, gray or white background under the transparent and translucent areas.
