If you look closely, transparent videos are in almost any content. You can find it in big-budget films, vlogs, ads and marketing, and web design. With transparent videos, one can make overlays and transition effects that create a sense of depth and add creativity to your content. When making one, you can have plenty of editing software to choose from. However, the top choice for most people is Adobe Premier Pro. Luckily, this article will show you a step-by-step guide on how to do this from start to finish. Stick around and learn how to export a transparent video in Premiere Pro, understand its relevance in video editing, and as a bonus discover an alternative tool where you can easily create transparent videos.
In this article
Part 1. Understanding Transparent Videos & Its Uses
Background transparency is the key to understanding what a transparent video is. In a regular video, you can see all the elements in one frame. In a transparent video, you can adjust the opacity of the background until it's no longer visible. It uses a video format that supports an alpha channel, which defines the transparency of the video. For some editing projects, a transparent video is needed for one to add overlays or video effects without compromising the original video.
An alpha channel is essential in creating a transparent video, so it's important to know the video formats that support it. These are MOV, WEBDm (for web design), AVI, and APNG. Aside from that, you'll also need editing software that can support an alpha channel, such as Adobe Premier Pro, Adobe After Effects, or Final Cut Pro.
Now that you know what a transparent video is and its relevance in video editing, the next section will show you how to export a transparent video in Premier Pro.
Part 2. Export Transparent Videos in Adobe Premier Pro (Step-by-Step Guide)
While there may be other editing tools, Adobe Premier Pro is one of the few tools where you can export a transparent video. It’s also a top choice for many due to the following reasons:
- Complete and advanced video editing capabilities
- Can seamlessly integrate with other Adobe applications like After Effects
- Intuitive and easy-to-use interface
- Suitable for professionals and beginners, which is not usually the case for most editing software of the same capabilities.
Exporting a transparent video in Premier Pro is easy. In the detail below, you'll learn how to make a transparent clip in Premier Pro by making specific export techniques. Follow along in the steps provided:
- Step 1: Preparing your file. With your Premier Pro already open, load the video you want to export with a transparent background by going to ‘File’ and then select ‘Open Project’. Make sure to finish all your edits before heading to the next step.
![adobe premier pro open project](https://images.wondershare.com/filmora/article-images/export-transparent-video-in-premier-pro-1.jpg)
- Step 2: Opening the Export Window. Export your video by going to 'File' then 'Export' then 'Media'.
![export project premier pro](https://images.wondershare.com/filmora/article-images/export-transparent-video-in-premier-pro-2.jpg)
- Step 3: Configuring the Export Settings. With the Export Window open, you'll now have to configure the settings to export the video with a transparent background. Here's what you need to do:
- Step 3.1 Set the video format to 'Quicktime'. For context, the Quicktime format is the only format that supports transparent background so this is a crucial step in exporting.
![export settings premier pro](https://images.wondershare.com/filmora/article-images/export-transparent-video-in-premier-pro-3.jpg)
- Step 3.2 Under the 'Video' tab, go to 'Video Codec' then select 'None'.
![premier pro video codec export settings](https://images.wondershare.com/filmora/article-images/export-transparent-video-in-premier-pro-4.jpg)
- Step 3.3 Scroll down further in the video tab to 'Depth' and select the option with the '+alpha' on it. This will enable the channel which allows for the video to export with a transparent background. Lastly, make sure to check the box for 'Render at Maximum Depth' for better results.
![premier pro set alpha channel](https://images.wondershare.com/filmora/article-images/export-transparent-video-in-premier-pro-5.jpg)
- Step 4: Click on export to download the file and use it for your other projects.
You can use Premier Pro to create transparent videos by following the steps above. Adobe Premier Pro requires software installation, so make sure you have enough memory in your PC for the application to work seamlessly. It has a 7-day trial period, then a paid subscription is required to continue using the software.
Part 3. Export Transparent Videos in Filmora
Premier Pro is truly a robust video editor, but it has its challenges. Despite having an intuitive interface, it requires a longer learning curve to familiarize oneself with the tool. In addition, you'll also need more computer memory for it to run smoothly. However, there's nothing to worry about as there's a great alternative to it. Introducing Filmora – an incredible and easy-to-use video editing software. With complete editing tools, you can be creative and produce amazing videos at the same time.
Here are its key features:
- Has a full video editing suite from screen recorder, compound clip, motion tracking, split screen, and more.
- Ensure to have quality sound for your videos with Filmora's audio features such as the voice changer, audio visualizer, AI Audio Denoise, and Silence Detection, to name a few examples.
- With text technology, you can do text animation, automatic captions, text-to-speech, and text-to-video editing.
- Powered by AI, Filmora gives a helping hand to level up your video editing game with features like the AI Music Generator, AI Copilot Editing, AI Vocal Remover, AI Thumbnail Creator, and more.
- Filmora also has a large collection of assets from video effects, preset templates, video footage, and word art.
Filmora can be accessed online but its desktop version is compatible with Windows and Mac. For mobile, it works perfectly with iOS, iPad, and Android Devices.
With all these advanced features, you may think creating a transparent video in Filmora is complicated. The truth is it's easy and will only take you a few steps. Here's are step-by-step instructions below similar to the previous guide on how to export transparent video in Premier Pro:
- Step 1: Download Filmora’s desktop version by heading over to Filmora’s website. On the home page, click the ‘Download' icon which will automatically download the installation file. After this, all you need to do is find the file in your downloads folder and follow the instructions for a successful installation.
![filmora online website](https://images.wondershare.com/filmora/article-images/download-new-01.jpg)
- Step 2: With your Filmora desktop app open, load the existing project with the video clip you want to export with a transparent background. Once loaded, click on 'Export'.
![filmora desktop new project](https://images.wondershare.com/filmora/article-images/export-transparent-video-in-premier-pro-7.jpg)
- Step 3: With the Export window open, go to 'Output Settings'. Under Format choose 'GoPro Cineform', change the Resolution and the Frame Rate to your liking, then enable the 'Export Alpha Channel' option.
![filmora export settings](https://images.wondershare.com/filmora/article-images/export-transparent-video-in-premier-pro-8.jpg)
You can then use the transparent video to overlay in other media files, add to transition effects, or use a unique element in your videos.
Conclusion
If you're an expert video editor or a beginner in this field, it's essential to know how to export a transparent video in Premier Pro or other tools as it's widely used across different mediums. While it can look complicated at first, learning how to do it step-by-step will let you discover how easy it is to make one. While tools like Premier Pro, Final Cut Pro, or After Effects are of top caliber, it may require a longer learning curve for you to fully master their full editing suite. If you’re looking for an alternative to Premier Pro, you can try out Filmora and export transparent videos from there. It has a complete set of powerful editing features from video, audio, effects, and preset templates to work on that will surely render you the best results.