BCC Alpha Process

Category: BCC Key and Blend

Effect Name: BCC Alpha Process

The BCC Alpha Process filter, part of the BCC Key and Blend category, blurs the alpha channel of an image, performs levels and gamma correction on the output of the blur, and composites the output alpha with the initial alpha using the chosen apply mode. The filter also allows you to soften the matte by blurring the alpha channel after it is processed.

Working with the Filter

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 with the BCC FX Browser™.
• 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, Click Here.

Effect Controls

Mocha Mask and Track

Continuum effects include integrated masking and matte tools that allow you to restrict the effect to specific regions of the image.

• Mocha masks: used to create custom spline masks. Mocha also includes Matte Assist ML and Matte Refine ML, which use machine learning to generate and track masks.
• Pixel Chooser: used to generate geometric shapes, gradients, or mattes based on channel, luma, or color-based selections. Additionally, an AI depth map generator, and an AI-powered face detection model allow for precise control of masks and mattes.

For more information, see Mocha and Pixel Chooser.

Compare Mode

The Compare Mode is used to view the filtered result alongside the original source layer. Several split-screen and side-by-side display options are available.

For more information, see Compare Mode.

• Lock Blurriness: Locks the blurring to a horizontal scale.
• Horizontal Blur: Sets the amount of blur applied to the alpha channel along the horizontal axis.
• Vertical Blur: Sets the amount of blur applied to the alpha channel along the Vertical axis.
• Black Level: Sets the alpha values in the matte that are treated as pure black by the filter. All pixels whose alpha value is lower than the Black Level value are output as transparent.
• White Level: Sets the alpha values in the matte that are treated as pure white by the filter. All pixels whose alpha value is higher than the White Level value are output as opaque.
• Gamma: Sets the slope of the curve used to convert input color values to output values in pixels brighter than Input Black and darker than Input White. Increasing Gamma from the default of 100 lightens the image and reduces contrast. Decreasing Gamma darkens the image and increases contrast.
• Apply Mode: Determines the apply mode that the filter uses to composite the alpha processing.
• Apply Mix: Determines the mix of the specified Apply Mode with the Normal apply mode. If the Apply Mode is Normal, Apply Mix has no affect and the parameter does not appear.
• Post Blur: Sets the alpha channel blur after it is processed. Use Post Blur to soften the edges of the matte for sources with high-contrast edges. Post Blur is also useful for eliminating artifacts produced when using an apply mode to create a complex alpha composite.
• Blur Quality: Blur Quality affects Post Blur as well as the initial Horizontal and Vertical Blur. Pyramid is the fastest option and is generally adequate. It produces a blur similar in quality to the Pyramid Blur filter. Pyramid Smoother produces a better quality pyramid blur and increases rendering times slightly. The remaining choices, Gaussian Low, Gaussian Medium, Gaussian High, Gaussian Higher, and Gaussian Highest produce Gaussian blurs of increasing quality. These options increase rendering times proportionately.
• View Matte: Displays the matte as you adjust it.
• Mix with Original: Blends the source and filtered images. Use this parameter to animate the effect from the unfiltered to the filtered image without adjusting other settings, or to reduce the effect of the filter by mixing it with the source image.