export layer comps with transparency as videos

[Mattyj]

was wondering if there was a way to export layer comps with transparency as videos that could the be taken into say AE for polishing? Ive done it with them as image sequences and it seems to be fine, but is it possible to do that same using a video format from Moho?

[Greenlaw]

Layer comps can be used in Moho Exporter to break out passes based on the layer comps. To save as video (or any format,) just set all your shared settings before clicking the Split button...this keeps you from making the same settings for every layer comp. Then you can remove any layer comps from the list that you don't actually want to render.

If this configuration is something you intend to render again repeatedly, save a profile that you can reload to Moho Exporter.

One catch: your Moho project should NOT have a version number in its name. Moho Exporter will include that in the file name by default, which prevents Overwrite Existing Files from working correctly and mess up existing comps. My workflow is to keep my numbered 'work-in-progress' files in a folder marked WIP, and my final unnumbered 'master' file outside of that folder by itself. When I'm ready to render the latest 'wip', I save it and then I overwrite the unnumbered 'master' before loading it into Moho Exporter.

I explained this in more detail the other day. A search should turn up the info.

Finally, video is not an efficient way to composite multiple layers. You can use it but, for reasons explained before in these forums, it's better to render and comp with Image sequences instead.

[Mattyj]

Awesome ty Greenlaw, I might stick to image sequences then.

[Greenlaw]

Glad this helps!

Just a little more info: With layer comps, I generally create a separate Layer Comp for...

Background
Midground
Foreground
Character(s)

In scenes with multiple characters, I might have them all in one Layer Comp or in separate Layer Comps, or some combination. It depends on how the characters will be treated in the compositing program.

There may be additional Layer Comps for props and vehicles, or anything I need to affect individually (i.e., light and shadows, DOF, motion blur, or some other post effect.)

Sometimes I'll create Layer Comps for special masks or texture passes. The Kung Fu Panda scenes on my 2019 reel are a good example of that; there are Layer Comps with special 'character' passes that only render a texture that will be overlaid in After Effects; and some special mask Layer Comps were created so I could add interior lighting, like when a hand in front of the body needs to catch some light.

There are so many great uses for this feature. I hope Lost Marble will continue to develop Layer Comps in a future release. With a few additional features to Layer Comps, I can think of many more ways to enhance Moho renderings in a compositing program.

BTW, be sure to get Synthsin75's Import Layer Comp script. This is the only way to reuse Layer Comps that exist in a 'master' character project and it works great!