<p>Maybe the video isn't perfectly transparent?  In this case, I would try adding a levels effect to the video, and selecting the Alpha option in the effect, then adjust the lower level control to see if the issue gets better or worse.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/KwwQh.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/KwwQh.png" alt="levels alpha adjustment"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-02-06T15:21:10.297Z
2019-02-06T15:21:10.297Z
tomh
<p>I think what you're looking for is to <em>toggle the transparency grid</em>. </p>

<p>You can do this by finding the checkerboard-looking icon in the toolbar below the viewer. <a href="https://i.sstatic.net/2INv4.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/2INv4.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a> </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-02-04T17:46:08.690Z
I mentioned that the background stays even when toggling on transparency. So there is something else wrong here
becca
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-02-05T20:00:48.013Z
I reckon the next thing I would do is change my background color (to pink) in composition settings and then change my blending mode from normal to multiply, overlay and screen to better see what the nature of the opaque elements in the clip are. Then I'd toggle my track matte visibility and toggle the modes there to see what happens.
Joshjurg
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-02-04T17:27:39.507Z
2019-02-04T17:27:39.507Z
Joshjurg
<p>I have a stock video that is transparent but when I import the footage into after effects it has a greyish/blue background (even when toggling transparency on). Is there something I need to specifically do to get it to be transparent?
It's a .mov file.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-02-07T23:44:12.287Z
Select the footage in the project panel and press ctrl+alt+g. Under "Alpha" are the boxes all grey'd out?
Spencer
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-02-05T00:13:25.097Z
Please provide a screenshot
Timothy Lukas H.
<after-effects><adobe><footage>
Transparent Footage - After Effects
becca
# Transparent Footage - After Effects

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-02-04)

I have a stock video that is transparent but when I import the footage into after effects it has a greyish/blue background (even when toggling transparency on). Is there something I need to specifically do to get it to be transparent?
It's a .mov file.

**Tags:** after-effects, adobe, footage

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Please provide a screenshot  
> **username_1**: Select the footage in the project panel and press ctrl+alt+g. Under "Alpha" are the boxes all grey'd out?  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2019-02-06. Score: 0

Maybe the video isn't perfectly transparent? In this case, I would try adding a levels effect to the video, and selecting the Alpha option in the effect, then adjust the lower level control to see if the issue gets better or worse.

[![levels alpha adjustment](https://i.sstatic.net/KwwQh.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/KwwQh.png)


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### Answer by username_4 on 2019-02-04. Score: 0

I think what you're looking for is to *toggle the transparency grid*.

You can do this by finding the checkerboard-looking icon in the toolbar below the viewer. [![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/2INv4.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/2INv4.jpg)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I mentioned that the background stays even when toggling on transparency. So there is something else wrong here  
> **username_4**: I reckon the next thing I would do is change my background color (to pink) in composition settings and then change my blending mode from normal to multiply, overlay and screen to better see what the nature of the opaque elements in the clip are. Then I'd toggle my track matte visibility and toggle the modes there to see what happens.  

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