The 3D Channel Extract effect makes auxiliary channels visible as either grayscale or multichannel color images. You can then use the resulting layer as a control layer for other effects. For example, extract the depth information in a 3D channel image file and then use it as an influence map in the Particle Playground effect, or extract values from the unclamped RGB channel to produce a matte that generates glowing highlights.

To display a pixel’s 3D channel values in the Info panel, apply the 3D Channel Extract effect, select the channel in the Effect Controls panel, and then click the pixel in the Composition panel or Layer panel using the Selection tool.

This effect works with 8-bpc color.

Original (left), with 3D Channel Extract applied using Texture UV (right)

3D Channel

The channel to extract from the 3D image.

White Point, Black Point

The value that is mapped to white or black.