Week #9: Luma Matte

A NOTE on Mattes

Any image that is used to define transparency in another image is called a MATTE.

A matte's alpha or luminance information is used to define transparency in the fill layer.
[In the Timeline, the fill layer is the image layer directly below the matte layer.]
Black defines transparent areas; white defines opaque areas.
If the matte is inverted, white will determine transparent areas.


TODAY'S EXERCISE: CREATE AN IMAGE WITH A TRACK MATTE

In Illustrator,
Create star shape, with a filmstrip stroke.

In AE,
Create an image with a Luma Matte.

I. theMatteComp
[ this comp will hold only the theMatte.ai file]
1. Command & N to create a new composition
2. Name the composition theMatteComp.
3. Drag theMatte.ai file to the TImeline



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II. MatteWithImage
[ contains theMatteComp and an image (leaves & water)]
1. Command & N to create a new composition
2. Name the composition MatteWithImage.
3. Drag theMatteComp to the Timeline, layer 1
4. Drag image.jpg to the Timeline, layer 2
5. Set the TrkMat switch to: Luma Matte "theMatteComp"


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II. LumaMatte
[ contains MatteWithImage and an image (leaves)]
1. Command & N to create a new composition
2. Name the composition LumaMatte.
3. Drag MatteWithImage to the Timeline, layer 1
4. Drag image.jpg (leaves with shadow figure) to the Timeline, layer 2
5. Scale up the MatteWithImage 200%


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SAVE & RENDER
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