WebM vs PNG vs MOV for VTT Assets
Choose transparent WebM for animated tabletop play, WebP or PNG for static fallbacks, and ProRes MOV for eligible creator editing workflows.
Practical answer
Folosa can deliver several representations of one character because tabletop playback, static fallback, and professional editing have different requirements. Use the format that matches the next tool in the workflow instead of treating every output as interchangeable.
The short answer
| Format | Use it for | Do not assume |
|---|---|---|
| Transparent WebM | Animated tokens in Foundry VTT and Roll20 | That 4K is necessary for a one-square token |
| WebP / PNG | Static fallback, portrait, preview, and low-motion scenes | That a still image can preserve animation |
| ProRes 4444 MOV | Creator editing, trailers, compositing, and archives | That MOV is the normal VTT import format |
For most sessions, the working pair is a compact transparent WebM plus a matching static WebP or PNG. ProRes is an optional downstream master, not a replacement for that pair.
Why transparent WebM is the live-play format
WebM is designed for browser playback and can preserve an alpha channel when encoded appropriately. That makes it suitable for a moving character without a visible rectangle around it. A short, silent, square loop can be assigned to a Foundry Prototype Token or uploaded as a Roll20 asset.
Resolution and file weight still matter. Use Standard 512p as the baseline for normal battlemap tokens. HD can help large creatures and close presentations; a 4K master should be tested before it is used in a live multiplayer scene.
Why every animation needs a static companion
A static fallback provides a predictable portrait, thumbnail, preview, and emergency replacement. It also gives the GM a lower-overhead option for crowds or players whose devices struggle with several transparent video layers.
WebP is compact and supports transparency. PNG is widely understood and useful in workflows that specifically expect it. The important requirement is that the static file matches the delivered character, has clean transparency, and is named so it can be paired with the WebM.
Where ProRes 4444 MOV belongs
ProRes 4444 preserves an alpha channel at editing-master quality and produces much larger files. It belongs in software used for compositing, trailers, portfolio videos, creator showcases, and archival handoff. It is not the normal choice for browser-based tabletop playback.
In Folosa, Creator users can generate one ProRes 4444 MOV on demand from an eligible completed HD or 4K task. That operation is a separate export from the completed result; it does not call Kling again or charge generation credits again. The original WebM and static VTT files remain the live-play delivery.
Choose by destination, then test
- Use WebM when the next destination is Foundry VTT or Roll20 and animation is required.
- Use WebP or PNG when the destination needs a still, portrait, fallback, or low-overhead token.
- Use ProRes 4444 MOV when the destination is a compatible editor or compositing pipeline.
- Keep all variants under a consistent character name and retain the original download.
Transparency should be checked over light and dark backgrounds. For video, inspect the entire loop for cropped content, opaque frames, doubled subjects, edge contamination, and a jarring return to the opening pose.
FAQ
Can I upload ProRes MOV directly to Foundry or Roll20?
It is not the recommended live-play format. Use transparent WebM for VTT playback and reserve ProRes 4444 MOV for compatible editing workflows.
Is PNG always better than WebP?
No. Both can preserve transparency. Choose according to tool compatibility and size, and keep the format delivered for the selected platform.
Does generating ProRes create a new AI animation?
No. For an eligible completed Creator HD or 4K task, Folosa produces the editing master from the existing result without another Kling generation or credit charge.