<p>The alpha channel is a grayscale 2D image plane of the same size as the RGB image, and is used when overlaying (or blending) the image on top of another image. If the value of an alpha pixel is zero, then the corresponding RGB pixel is invisible when the image is overlaid. If the value is 255 (in an 8-bits per channel image), then the RGB pixel is fully opaque. For intermediate values, you get a composite result, depending on the blending mode used. When viewed in a video player, you won't notice a difference because there's no other video 'underneath'.</p>

<p>See <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_compositing" rel="nofollow">Alpha compositing</a> for more details.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-02T11:22:39.703Z
2016-09-02T11:22:39.703Z
Gyan
<p>I know what is Alpha channel but when I rendered a motion logo using <strong>RGB</strong> and <strong>RGB + Alpha</strong> in <strong>After Effects</strong>, I didn't see any difference. So what's the basic difference between them and how to decide which should be used?</p>

<after-effects><color><alpha>
What is the difference between RGB and RGB + Alpha?
Vikas
# What is the difference between RGB and RGB + Alpha?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-09-02)

I know what is Alpha channel but when I rendered a motion logo using **RGB** and **RGB + Alpha** in **After Effects**, I didn't see any difference. So what's the basic difference between them and how to decide which should be used?

**Tags:** after-effects, color, alpha


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-09-02. Score: 1

The alpha channel is a grayscale 2D image plane of the same size as the RGB image, and is used when overlaying (or blending) the image on top of another image. If the value of an alpha pixel is zero, then the corresponding RGB pixel is invisible when the image is overlaid. If the value is 255 (in an 8-bits per channel image), then the RGB pixel is fully opaque. For intermediate values, you get a composite result, depending on the blending mode used. When viewed in a video player, you won't notice a difference because there's no other video 'underneath'.

See [Alpha compositing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_compositing) for more details.


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