Most CGI renders (like those from Cinema 4D, Blender, or Maya) render images with a "Premultiplied Alpha." This means the image has been multiplied by the alpha channel already, usually resulting in black edges where the object is transparent.
Using standard blending modes like Add or Screen drops out the black background, but makes the semi-transparent parts of the effect look milky, washed out, or unnatural when placed over lighter backgrounds. unmult after effects plugin
When you use Screen mode, the bright parts of your footage interact with the layers beneath it. While this makes the black disappear, it also "washes out" the colors. If you have a vibrant orange explosion and screen it over a blue background, the orange may lose saturation, turning into a muddy gray or pink. This is not physically correct for light emission. Most CGI renders (like those from Cinema 4D,
Most CGI renders (like those from Cinema 4D, Blender, or Maya) render images with a "Premultiplied Alpha." This means the image has been multiplied by the alpha channel already, usually resulting in black edges where the object is transparent.
Using standard blending modes like Add or Screen drops out the black background, but makes the semi-transparent parts of the effect look milky, washed out, or unnatural when placed over lighter backgrounds.
When you use Screen mode, the bright parts of your footage interact with the layers beneath it. While this makes the black disappear, it also "washes out" the colors. If you have a vibrant orange explosion and screen it over a blue background, the orange may lose saturation, turning into a muddy gray or pink. This is not physically correct for light emission.