How do Alpha Channels work?”
An alpha channel is simply a way to use variable transparency with an image. Instead of storing three bytes for every pixel (red, green and blue), files containing alpha information store four bytes per pixel: red, green, blue and alpha, or RGBA. Variable transparency allows you to create visual effects that look good on any background. Another benefit is the use of alpha blending, which allows the use of anti-aliasing to make rounded and curved images that look good against any background. Regarding color depth, it is always necessary to use 32-bit color depth (sometimes called “Millions of Colors”) to have alpha channel support in your video or graphics. Without 32-bit color depth, which is only available in a small number of codecs, files will not support alpha information. If you select a codec that does not list “Millions of Colors” as one of its color depth options, then you will not get 32-bit color depth using that codec.
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