Render a Transparent PNG with Alpha in ScreenshotKit

Capture screenshots with an alpha channel using Cryptomatte, post-process, or hybrid alpha sources, for key art, hero shots, and compositing.

Use this when you need a screenshot with an alpha channel: storefront key art, hero shots over an arbitrary background, or compositing into a marketing layout.

Steps

1. Open the Capture tab

   In the ScreenshotKit window, click the Capture tab.

2. Enable transparency

   Tick Transparent Background under Capture Options.

3. Pick an Alpha Source

   ScreenshotKit gives you three different ways to derive alpha:

   Mode	What it does	Use it when
   Cryptomatte Only	Uses the Cryptomatte alpha pass. Sharp geometry edges, no bloom or flare in the alpha.	You want a clean cutout that matches geometry exactly.
   Post-Process Only	Renders the scene over black and over white, derives alpha from the difference. Captures bloom, lens flares, and other post effects in alpha.	You want post-process glow or halo to extend past the silhouette.
   Hybrid (default)	max(Cryptomatte, PostProcess): sharp edges from geometry plus glow from post.	Most of the time. Best of both.

4. Pick a format with alpha

   Choose PNG or TGA under Settings > File Format (JPEG has no alpha).

5. Capture

   Click Take Screenshot.

Result

A transparent image where the RGB is the lit beauty pass and the alpha is derived from your chosen mode.

Transparent capture disables post-processing in the standard path by default. The Post-Process Only and Hybrid modes work around this with the dual black-and-white render trick, so you keep your bloom and grading.

If Cryptomatte alpha is not available on your render pipeline, Hybrid mode falls back to Post-Process alone and logs a warning.

See also

• Runtime API: transparent capture for the scripted equivalent.