Best Chroma Key "Green Screen" ???

Okay...
Need to purchase the BEST (or really good) "keying" software out there (specifically for green screen). Is it "Primatte"? or?....or?....or?.... what?
And (ready for stupid question).... does Color Finesse do keying as well ? And does it do it as well as others if it does ?
Many thanks for your input. Have to purchase quickly.

Hello Andrew.
Just checking, but I assume you know that FCE contains Blue/Green Screen, Chromakey and Lumakey etc. filters?
I have used the Blue Screen filter in the past, coupled with a cheap blue 9'x 6' bedsheet and produced some very realistic results!
Ian.

Similar Messages

Best chroma key plugin for FCP7???

I have Final Cut Pro 7 and Motion and would like to know what is the best chroma key plugin.
I've heard of DV Matte, Adobe Keylight, and Red Giant's Primatte Keyer Pro, but have no idea which one to get. Personally, I would prefer to stay in the Final Cut/Motion environment as I am more familiar with their interface than with After Effects.
Thanks in advance for any advice,
- Nick

there is a very good keyer in Motion; its free and you have it
the best; well thats Ultimatte:
http://www.ultimatte.com/UltimatteMain/Software.html

Best codec for green screen in FCP or Motion

First--I tried to search for posts on this topic, but I swear I cannot figure out how to search -the discussion forums- on this site. Anyone want to tell me what I'm missing?
My main question is about codecs for keying green screen in FCP. I have always just worked with DV but it does not key very well. I am about to go into a project that involves editing 25-30 hours of studio footage down into about 5 hours of finished product, all of which is going to be shot against a green screen. We're using high-quality non-digital NTSC cameras for the shoot and encoding to hard drive, which gives us the option of using a different codec. Since we need to capture so much footage (various takes, camera angles, etc), I don't have the budget for the hard drive space required to capture it all uncompressed, but I'm looking for something better than DV.
I've seen some people are using DVCPRO 50 for green screen work, and I think I could get all the footage onto a single 1TB hard drive in that format.
Is DVCPRO 50 significantly better than DV for green screen? Is there another codec which would be better to use with FCP/Motion, but still keep my data under 10MB/sec?

Is the difference between 4:1:1 and 4:2:2 some part of what causes the blockiness in DV?
No...the DV compression is what causes the blockiness of DV. It is compressed 5:1, and how it is compressed is the cause of the compression. Mind you, if you shoot to DV tape, then capturing that as DVCPRO 50 will not get rid of the blockiness. that is there when you record to tape. It will convert the footage from 4:1:1 to a 4:2:2 color space for better color control when keying and color correcting. But much of the color information is already lost when you shoot to DV tape. Capturing as DV50 will certainly help, however...and be TONS better than keying as straight DV.
Shane

Best approach for green screen over multiple clips?

So I know this may fall under the category of after effects, but starting with a project in premiere with many clips and cuts, what would be the best way to apply green screen over all of these clips? I'd think that making all of these clips after effects compositions would be excessive and not the best approach. So is there a better way to go about doing this?

In these cases it's best that you test with one clip before going all in and having to change direction after much is done. You can get by with Ultra Key in PPro if the screens are done correctly and clean enough. Much will also depend on the expected result. That is, you may wind up doing lots of tweaking for shots that might not pay off if they're quick/action, etc. I usually go round house for AE involving complex shots that need to be really clean, but have opted for Ultra in PPro for quick clips with action. When I do use Ultra Key I use more than one instance of the key. So, test it both ways and use this as an opportunity to know the Pro's of both methods.

Are there other better plugins for keying green screen

I have started to use a green screen, and for the most part, its good, except for a few places in my actors head that fade in and out, I was wondering if there was a better, more powerful plugin to key out the green screen then what comes with FCP? thanks

piff aroni wrote:
I have started to use a green screen, and for the most part, its good, except for a few places in my actors head that fade in and out, I was wondering if there was a better, more powerful plugin to key out the green screen then what comes with FCP? thanks
Better than what ? what are you using? FCP6 up has excellent chroma keying capabilities .. I use FCP 7.01 but had FCP 6 before, both have (under effects) Keys; color smooth 4:2:2 then the Chroma Keyer .. There is a lot of fine adjustments of the Sat, Luma and edge softening which affect the end result .. To get it right it is long adjust / correct process but quality results often take time ..Have a look at Ken Stones tutorial (old, 2004, but still very valid principles): +http://www.kenstone.net/fcphomepage/chroma_key_fcp_hdmonahan.html.+
A tip on posting here is to give lots of detail on what you are using, what the end deliverable is (media / format etc) it helps the real experts .. I exclude me from that list I am fairly new .. many users on this forum are industry experts and the detail you give the more helpful their responses will be..
Have a look
Good luck

Best settings for Green Screen Video with Canon Mark iii

HI
What are the ideal camera settings for Green screen video.
Iso?
aperature?
Depth of field settings (best to have the green screen a bit out of focus?)
Any other camera settings would be helpful.
Thanks
Rowby

Hi Rowby!
Thanks so much for writing in about green screen shooting with the EOS 5D Mark III camera. Green screen shooting can come down to some crucial elements and how well you handle the camera and the lighting.
Arguably the most important thing is to have excellent lighting on the screen. Without this, the keys used to replace the green screen will not be accurate. So hopefully you have a good set of lights you will be using to actually light the physical screen.
With regards to ISO, shoot as low as possible. We suggest that you stick in the ISO 200-400 range where possible. With good, high key, proper lighting on the screen this shouldn't be an issue.
Aperture should actually be in the higher end of the range, you would want to stick to apertures around f/8 and above. Again, with adequate lighting this shouldn't be out of reach. This is so the green screen is more in focus, versus having it out of focus, which would not yield successful results.
Use an appropriate lens to the subject, for example if you are doing wide shots- use only the focal length needed for the shoot and no wider. For head shots, close ups- use a lens that will get you close.
Following these suggestions should give you some pretty good results. Remember, if this is your first attempt don't be discouraged, green screen shooting can be difficult to accomplish.
We wish you the best of luck in your endeavor!
Did this answer your question? Please click the Accept as Solution button so that others may find the answer as well.

What is the best chroma key software for a Mac?

I have the lighting, the green screen...all I need now is the software. I'm led to believe there is a better program than Photoshop for use with chroma keying...I just need some suggestions! Anyone?

If you're doing stills and not working in video Photoshop will be more than adequate for what you need. But, unless you're going to drop your subject onto a greenish sort of background, I would stay away from greenscreen and go for a tone that will give you contrast around your subject and a color that is in the same vicinity of what you're going to be using later. Unless you really know what you're doing, and often when you do, you are bound to get some degree of wraparound from the background, and if that wraparound is green, it will only complicate your project.
Having done more of these projects that I care to think about or even remember, take my advice... or not.
The masking tools built in to Photoshop CS5 are really pretty good now. That's what I would use, but if you don't have the latest version or haven't mastered them yet, there are several third party masking programs you can try. Fluid Mask, MaskPro and Ultimatte Knockout come to mind. Ultimatte was the tool of choice for a long time but has suffered from zero support or updating from Corel. The other two offer 30 day trials. Have fun.

Best Workflow for Green Screen Project

Hi
I have a 13 minute sequence in FCP (filmed in HDV108050i) where the subject is filmed in front of a green screen. I need to use Motion to key out the green screen, which I have done successfully on a couple of 1 minute samples. (I export to QT uncompressed and then import QT file into Motion (As a side point I think the Primatte RT keyer in Motion rocks!)
My question is how do I go about keying the entire 13 min video? I presume I don't just send an uncompressed 13 minute clip into Motion and try and key it (and add other effects as Motion might throw a fit?) The video is essentially a training video, and in FCP I have edited it into approx 12 clips , each clip separated by a transition effect that I don't want to lose (that has happened when I use the send to MOtion project option in FCP)
Any tips greatly appreciated
thnks

Mikeyred wrote:
I have a 13 minute sequence in FCP (filmed in HDV108050i) where the subject is filmed in front of a green screen.
Assuming you've got a good key because you shot it properly. You're WAY ahead of everyone else.
Mikeyred wrote:
My question is how do I go about keying the entire 13 min video?
You can do that as easily as merely bringing the clip into Motion or sending it from FCP. If it were me, I'd bring the raw clip into Motion and render it out using Animation or ProRes4444 which will carry an alpha.
Mikeyred wrote:
I presume I don't just send an uncompressed 13 minute clip into Motion and try and key it (and add other effects as Motion might throw a fit?) The video is essentially a training video, and in FCP I have edited it into approx 12 clips , each clip separated by a transition effect that I don't want to lose (that has happened when I use the send to MOtion project option in FCP)
That's not the same thing as your original question about a 13-minute clip. You have not made it clear if your transition is between keys or between segments.
You can't use a transition between clips BEFORE the chromakeying is done. You can create or interpose transitions between the rendered alpha clips but such transitions work a bit differently than full frame clips.
bogiesan

There isn't a green screen option in elements 12 under "Keying", where would I find this? I'm running mac.

I searched under "keying" and theres no option for green screen. Running a mac and Adobe Premiere Elements 12
Here's a picture I put on imgur of what happens when I go into the "Keying" section under effects
Picture

okay
There is no Chroma Key, Green Screen Key, or Blue Screen Key in Premiere Elements Mac. Those are Windows Only features for Premiere Elements.
Many suggest Videomerge as the workaround. I do not favor Videomerge.
Please review and consider my suggestion of the Difference Matte as the workaround. It has worked for many a Mac user in a situation such as the one you are in.
http://www.atr935.blogspot.com/2013/05/pe11-difference-matte-as-substitute-for.html
Please review and consider. Any questions on this or need clarification, please do not hesitate to ask.
Thank you.
ATR

Chroma key effect in Premiere Elements

If I buy Adobe Premiere Elements, am I able to use chroma key effect and receive a clean video free from green colour from the background, even around the hair? My experience is that it is not possible with cheaper programs.

peterwallgren
What computer operating system would you be running Premiere Elements on? If Mac, be advised that Mac does not have Chroma Key, Green Screen Key, or Blue Screen Key.
A lot of variables in the green screen videography and photography. Best download and install Premiere Elements 13 and determine if it works for you in green screen workflow.
Generalizing, I think it does a good job. But a generalization is not good enough when you get down to a specific setup with specific details.
We will be watching for your follow up if you decide to look at the Premiere Elements 13 Chroma Key effect (Expert workspace, fx Effects/Keying/Chroma Key).
ATR

Multicam editing multiple chroma key background

hi,
I'm shooting and editing interviews with 3 cameras with a Chroma Key green screen.
Cam 1 - Wide angle shot, showing both the interviewer and the guest.
Cam 2 - The interviewer
Cam 3 - The guest
Now I need to do a multicam sync based on audio.
Then I have applied keyer effect to each and gets perfect chroma keying for each camera and had no problem editing using Angle Viewer.
Now my problem is ALL the backgrounds in Cam 1,2,3 are the same. It looks kind of weird.
How do I sync different background to each of the Camera with Chroma keyer and Multicam editing?
Is there a way to link a different background to each camera?

martinstartin wrote:
I am working on a video after using a chroma key to take away the green. I am getting a flicker on the edge of objects that meet the areas where the green has been stripped, any advice how to rectify this?
martinstartin ALSO wrote:
Obviously this is the basic process, but what I'm after with this message is any advice/tips, or common problems people come across when doing this. I will do a practice one before I do the job but don't have a green screen, how easy is it to do against a plain white wall?
Which is it? Cannot be both.
martinstartin ALSO wrote:
It was shot on a Sony EX1 then converted using their software into EXCAM. Cant' remember the rest of the settings as I don't have it with me, hope this helps you to help me!
The original footage is meaningless. You've said you got the clips after the key was pulled so you're looking at a self-contained movie with an alpha channel.
bogiesan

PP2.0 suitable for green screen keying?

Hey guys/gals,
I have PP2.0/CS2 and AE CS2, but don't have much experience with After Effects. I'm planning a shoot involving green screen (chroma color green screen) and am doing some research. I understand PP2.0 is good with keying, but should I go the extra mile and learn how to use After Effects efficiently for this project? I have tracking and static shots planned, so I'm under the assumption it's gonna be AE all the way. Any thoughts?
Thanks!

Kugar, as Harm says, PP keying is mediocre at best. If your lighting is perfect and you've gone to great lengths to avoid fringing on your subject then maybe the PP key would be OK. I recently did some in-PP keying and it was OK, but then my output medium was a small web-delivered flash file.
I'm a big fan of Primatte, but there is a learning curve. Don't even think of attempting it without their companion PDF that comes with the software. And the render times.... yaaaaawwwnnnnn. But for less-than-perfect source footage, it does come up with the goods.
Harm, I was under the impression that Ultra had been dropped from CS4?? Can you still purchase it from somewhere??
Matthew
*edit* The Adobe website says you can purchase the software Stand Alone, but I couldn't find it in the Adobe store??

Is it possible to chroma key a moving laptop/phone screen in Motion 5?

Hi, I recently downloaded Motion 5, and I've been experimenting with it. What I'd like to know is if it's possible to chroma key the screen of a phone (the screen will be green.) I've managed to chroma key out the green, and it works perfectly, except I don't know how to make the "screen" follow the phone or stay on the phone if the camera moves. Also, is it possible to make the "screen" dynamically grow/shrink as the camera zooms in/out. Is such a thing even possible with Motion?
Thanks in advance!

a color-key isn't needed for such an effect…
What you like to accomplish is something like that:
http://youtu.be/Mml8uqeB0MU
This is called 4-corner motion tracking, advice in the Manual
http://help.apple.com/motion/mac/5.0/en/motion/usermanual/#chapter=22%26section= 8%26hash=apple_ref:doc:uid:Motion-UserManual-90919TRK-1139924

How to use Green Screen option?

Sorry this is such a general question, but I have very limited internet access here at work (can't even access Google) and I would like to figure this out before I leave for the day so I can grab what I need on the way home.
We are making weekly comical "newscast" type videos, and we have been using PhotoBooth to make it look like we are in a news room.
I would like to stop using PhotoBooth (due to the obvious extreme limitations in video/audio quality) and use the green screen option in iMovie 09.
Would anybody be so kind as to give a brief couple of paragraphs on the best way to accomplish this?
I have seen the option pop up when inserting a clip on top of another, but which one is the footage/image to replace the green area... the original clip or the overlayed clip?
And is there a specific shade/type of green that works best? Or can I just pick up a dozen yards of general "crayola" green fabric to cover a wall?

I have tried but haven't had much luck. Although I am having a problem with Snow Leopard and iMovie right now. That may be affecting my success. Here are the instructions out of iMovie help.
To use green-screen effects to superimpose video:
Record video in front of a solid green backdrop, and then import it into iMovie.
When you record, for best results do the following:
Use a pure (highly saturated) color of green for the backdrop.
The best color of green to use is often called “chroma key green” in paint and cloth.
Make sure the subject doesn’t have any green clothing, and don’t include anything green in the shot, other than the backdrop.
If possible, use multiple lighting sources to eliminate shadows on the subject being recorded.
Include a moment at the end of the recording with the subject out of the frame. This indicates to iMovie what should be left out when the video is superimposed.
Choose iMovie > Preferences, click General, and then make sure Show Advanced Tools is selected.
In the Event Browser, select video that you recorded in front of the green backdrop.
Drag the selection directly over a clip in your project (video, solid color, or animated background clip), and release the mouse button when the cursor displays a green plus sign .
Choose Green Screen from the list of options that appears.
The green-screen clip appears with a green border around it above the video clip in your project. You can drag it to a different spot to reposition it, or drag the ends to lengthen or shorten it.
To more effectively mask areas of the green-screen clip, select the clip in your project, in the viewer click Cropped, and then drag the handles at the top of the viewer to more tightly enclose the subject of the video.
Anything outside the highlighted area in the green-screen clip is removed from the picture. Be sure not to crop out areas that the subject moves into at any point during the green-screen clip.
To produce a better-quality effect, double-click the green-screen clip in your project to open the inspector, then select “Subtract last frame.” iMovie uses information in the last frame to determine what to subtract from the finished clip.
Selecting “Subtract last frame” works only if you included a moment at the end of the green-screen footage with the subject completely out of the frame.
To watch the clip, click the Play Clip button in the viewer.

Is green screen possible with Mini DV?

Hi. I have a Canon XL2.
I want to use some green screen effects in my next doco to liven up some talking heads I am to record.
Is MiniDV even an option for this? I have heard the mini dv compression causes too many artifacts.
Please assume I have read all there is to read on the best practice for green screen and will have good lighting for the screen and the talent.
Thank you.

There are tricks to getting a better key with DV - what are you planning to use to do your keying?
Example - here's a matte generated from DV footage with my best effort:
and here's the same with a Digibeta SDI source:
both done in Shake.
Patrick

Best Chroma Key "Green Screen" ???

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