How do I remove the Alpha from a PNG sequence?

[Valfaroth]

I have a bunch of renders (PNG) that, when imported into the video editor, have a transparent background rather than the white background they were rendered with. I played with just putting a white solid in the background and just letting the alpha do its thing, but now that I am trying to experiment with transitions and fades, the transparencies are becoming a problem again.

Is there a way to tell Blender that I do not want to use the alpha channel in any of these sequences? I remember something like that in After Effects so I'm sure it's a thing. Just can't figure it out in Blender.

Any help would be appreciated. Really don't want to render all of this again. 8)

[Daemoc]

Can you output to a different format without alpha information? Jpg or Bmp maybe? Or simply convert what you have to a different format. You could also change the backgroud to an off white.

Its not Blender, its the Png format causing the alpha. White, black or pink will do tha same. I can't remember the color codes off of the top of my head. EG; 0,0,0 or 255,255,255.

[Valfaroth]

I understand that the png format is causing the alpha. I'm looking for a way to have Blender overlook the alpha information. I don't want to convert to jpg for fear of losing quality. If there is a way for Blender to disregard the alpha information, I would like to try that. (More versatility in compositing as well.)

[Daemoc]

I can not speak for what blender can or can not do, but a lot of programs assign simple RGB8 png's pixels as transparent if they are 0,0,0 or 255,255,255. Even with no alpha channel involved.

I have no idea if yours have an alpha or not and I am not saying that is the issue you are having. I am just saying I have experienced this before.

Edit: quick thought.
Can you export the PNG's from your vid-edit software with a white background as an uncompressed video format then re-import the vid?

[Pte Jack]

I believe the answer can be found on the Render Properties panel, When output to PNG is selected, there are 3 additional buttons. BW, RGB and RGBA. Select RGB only, I would think that would kill the Alpha channel.

http://imgur.com/Wj2tQi1

[Valfaroth]

That's a good thought Daemoc, but then it's not as easy to edit. I was hoping for some check box or something on import.

As, for your first suggestion, If I'm understanding you correctly, you are suggesting a rerender with a slightly "less white" background. (Rerendering 30 maya files is something I would LOVE to avoid.....alas it may come to that. 8)

Pte Jack, I must not have explained it clearly (New to Blender so maybe my terminology is lacking 8) I'm talking about Importing into the video editor. I'm rendering out of maya and all the renders are done. (at least I'm hoping they are. I really would rather not go through those again.) The setting you mention is exactly what I've been looking for on the IMPORT side, though 8)

Thanks for the replies! If there are any other suggestions out there, feel free to send them through!

-------- I just had a thought. Since fades in and out are giving me the problems, I might have a different solution. I'm going to try a black color effect on top of everything and animate the opacity......(Sure hope that's possible. 8) -------

[Daemoc]

What I would try is take a single frame render with an off-white background and import that as a test to see if it is the (oops) 255,255,255 pixels that are being squashed. Maya may have exported an RGB8A8 by default and changing the background color will end with the same result.

Convert to BMP maybe. Huge files i know but could solve your image loss issue with jpg?