Compositor - Alpha Over node: switch layers
The "Alpha Over" node currently has two inputs in the compositor.
The node will use the top image input as bottom layer and the bottom input as top layer.
In my opinion this is not really logical considering the VSE uses the layer or strip system as kind of pyramid. The strip at the top is the one that will be displayed in the top of the final image.
My idea thereby is to switch the inputs and name them accordingly or give them a small toolbox.
BTW: I can imagine this beeing not a small change even it's a small request because it would probably break quite a lot.
10 Comments
Why not just give the Image inputs actual labels? "Below" "Above". Then there would never be any confusion or guessing over which input does what.
* @ Grady * Yes, this would be possible as well. IMO the best UI is still one that needs no explanation or you will remember by logical thinking.
This thing was discussed already few times. On the one hand you are right. On another hand Left slider position for top and right for bottom. And all mix layers work same way. Second slot over first. Also modifiers work same way: lowest == last. So this change will break consistency. And it is suggested to keep it and remember principle, that work overall blender: lowest == last applied.
Or change it everywhere in Blender to top == last/over
* @ Vyacheslav * And there's always the issue of backwards compatibility. Such changes will "break" quite a lot of blend files.
* @-L0Lock- * Will not. Because visually 1st isn`t actually 1st. So it is more about habits
* @ Vyacheslav * I'm not following you.
Let's admit we're in the future and the change is made in 2.92 so that 1st socket = top layer. And let's say we have a 2.91 file with a text composed over a background. Up in 2.91, you'd have done that by plugging the background first, text second, because that's how it worked back then.
But if you open that same file in 2.92, because it now considers 1 socket = top, the result will be a background with a hidden text behind, isn't it?
* @-L0Lock- * As far as I understood Vyacheslav, the node setting is not saved in the blend file with "goes into the top of the node" and "goes into the bottom of the node" but with "this layer is the background". And it's up to blender how it displays this relation
* @ Vyacheslav * If every node works that way it would be fine for me as well. In such a case the VSE should be changed though to have blender internal wide consistency
* @Delta * you are right. Inputs have IDs and indexes. That is why you can freely change their order (in group-nodes) without loosing routes. That is why they can be drivered through scene
Oh now I understand. Sounsd nice then, indeed!