Possible to make semitransparent video from semitransparent images?

Hi all,

If I've exported transparent (or semitransparent) images to png, it it possible to use these to assemble a video within MATLAB that retains transparency?

Right now I am just using [data color_data alpha_data] = imread('my_image'); , but I don't know how to convert this to a frame (was using im2frame) while retaining the alpha_data.

Or, if it's not possible, is there an easy way to do it outside of MATLAB?

Thanks! Jared

[Walter Roberson]

Do you need a particular video file format?

What would be the target to display it in?

[Jared]

Don't care about format, provided it plays in powerpoint.

[Walter Roberson]

So to check, it has to play in powerpoint, but it has to be semi-transparent to reveal whatever is behind the powerpoint video-display window?

[Jared]

That is correct.

Answer 1

[Walter Roberson]

Create an animated GIF.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-ca/powerpoint-help/embed-in-or-link-to-a-video-from-your-presentation-HA010374729.aspx

[Jared]

Are you suggesting a gif (rather than avi etc.) based on limitations in MATLAB, limitations in Powerpoint, or both?

[Oliver Woodford]

First ask yourself what video formats support transparency. Then ask if PowerPoint supports that format. Then ask if MATLAB can export in that format. It's a mixture of all three factors.

[Walter Roberson]

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/4073303/can-i-have-a-video-with-transparent-background-using-html5-video-tag

mp4 videos cannot be transparent, it appears. I gather flash can, but I do not find any software to create swf files from MATLAB.

Answer 2

[Elad]

PowerPoint can play .avi files... see if this helps: http://imageprocessingblog.com/?p=65