Alpha Channel in After Effects Question?

[MattSepeta]

I just started using AE yesterday, and am still trying to wrap my head around it. I used to do all my compositing directly in FCP, and am trying to learn to do it the "right" way now

So I am created a TV in photoshop, and have a really long film strip type thing that I want to run behind the screen part of the TV, horizontally. I no that in FCP I would open up the nested TV psd and put the film strip behind it, and make the screen of the TV not visible.

In AE, I am wondering how to do this. I have a feeling I would use a mask or an alpha channel, and am still trying to figure it out in AE. Any tips would be awesome!

 

[ppc_michael]

Hi Matt!

In After Effects, when you import your PSD file, you should have the option to import it as Footage or as a Composition. Choose Composition, and it will import your footage as a new comp, with layers (and their transparency) still intact, similar to the way FCP handles them.

Good luck!

 

[MattSepeta]

Ok, great

Thanks for the answer. I actually just made a mask with the pen tool and reversed it, reversing it was what was giving me the grief.

Thanks again!