How To Create Broadcast Title Card Graphics with Alpha Mask

February 16, 2007 : Topic: technology
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After being asked how to create TV art cards with an alpha mask for about the zillionth time, I figured it was time to bite the bullet and write down the process. So if you’re an Art Director or Designer who just got the client to sign off on your first big TV spot, or perhaps a budding film director, editor, or just someone who wants to learn how to use an AVID, this little how-to article is for you. Well, actually, it’s for me too because I could use the extra time working on other projects.

A couple quick things to point out before we begin.

The information listed below was written as a guide to quickly walk you through the process of creating broadcast title card graphics. It’s based on the premise that you have, at least, a fair amount of experience using PhotoShop so it doesn’t cover every single action.

Creating TV art cards doesn’t require any fancy plug-ins, actions, or filters. Although I used Adobe PhotoShop CS to created the graphics displayed below, the process is pretty straight forward and uses some basic features that have been around since, at least PS 5 or 6.

The difference between creating standard title cards vs. those with an Alpha mask (or channel) is that the title cards with the Alpha mask will allow the masked graphic to overlay other images or footage. e.g. the client’s logo superimposed over a product. So if all you need is a standard art card, you can follow the same steps outlined below — but skipping steps four and five.

How To Create A Broadcast Title Art Card with Alpha Mask

  1. Create a new PhotoShop document
    Select: File > New >
    From the “Preset” drop-down menu, select “NTSC D1 Square Pix, 720 x 540 (with guides)” which will create the following document.
    NTSC D1 Square Pix, 720 x 540
  2. Place your .EPS graphic of choice into the new document
    Select: File > Place
    Place .EPS graphic into document
  3. Scale graphic as required for your needs
    TIP: It’s better to make the graphic a bit bigger than you need, rather than smaller, as you can always scale it down in AVID without image quality loss.
    After scaling the Placed graphic, add any other additional text or graphics required for shameless self promotion.
    Scale graphic to the size required for your needs
  4. Load Selection
    Select: Select > Load Selection (make sure the layer in which the graphic was placed is still highlighted)
    This will cause the graphic to be surrounded by the ever popular “marching ants”.
    Load Selection
  5. Save Selection
    Select: Select > Save Selection (This creates an Alpha channel)
    The dialog box will prompt you to give the new Channel a name. I used “graphic” but you can name it anything you want. Select “OK”
    Save Selection
  6. SAVE AS
    Select: File > Save As >
    From the “Format” drop-down menu, select “PICT File”. Make sure the “Alpha Channels” box is checked.
    Save Selection creates an alpha channel

    7. Click: “Save”
    From the subsequent “PICT File Options” dialog box, select “OK”.

  7. Import into AVID
    Import with inverted alpha channel. This is a preset you can select for the import function

And there you have it, you’re good to go. You now have a crisp. clean graphic with a masked background to overlay over other graphics, etc.

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