User Manual

Import Settings
1416
Alpha
Channel
Controls how your Avid editing application handles the alpha channel in imported images. The
following options are available:
• Invert on import (white = opaque): Select this option to reverse the black and white elements
of the alpha channel if they differ from the matte key requirements of your Avid editing
application. Avid applications use a white background, a black foreground, and a gray
transparency blend between the two.
• Do not invert (black = opaque): Select this option to import the image, using the existing
alpha channel information.
• Ignore: Select this option to import an image that contains alpha channel transparency
information as one opaque graphic. The imported graphic appears as a single master clip in
the bin.
n
If an image contains an embedded alpha channel but your Avid editing application does
not support alpha channel import for the file type, select this option to import the image
successfully. For information on alpha channel support, see “Import Specifications for
Supported Graphics File Formats” on page 1451.
Dilate Fill This option bleeds the fill just a bit along the edges where transparent alpha meets
non-transparent alpha.
It is useful when importing graphics files containing alpha that have abrupt transitions between
transparent and opaque. It can help prevent black/gray pixels from seeping into the fill.
Frame Import
Duration
Duration n
seconds
Defines the duration of the single frame your Avid editing application creates from the import.
The default is 10 seconds. This option does not apply to importing sequential image files because
each file represents one frame of the clip, so the total number of files determines the total
duration.
Importing an image with alpha channel creates a matte key effect as a single frame, with no
associated media file.
Importing as a single frame takes less time and requires less storage than importing as a media
file. However, a single frame has limited real-time playback capabilities, particularly at high
resolutions, because your Avid editing application loads the frame into memory and handles it in
real time, rather than playing it back from a disk.
Autodetect
Sequentially
Numbered
Files
When this option is selected, your Avid editing application recognizes that a sequence of
connected files is present and automatically imports the whole sequence.
When this option is deselected, your Avid editing application does not automatically import a
whole sequence of files that have sequential extensions. You can then select any single file for
import.
You can import sequential files for any of the supported still-image formats. For information on
preparing a sequence of image files, see “Specifications for Animation Files” on page 1456.
Option Description