2024 Approved Beginners Guide to Green Screen Keying

Beginners Guide to Green Screen Keying

Did they have dinner on Mars? Photographers are becoming more daring with their creations thanks to the advancement in editing software. For example, after effects green screen keying allows you to alter your image’s background during post-production.

The following is all you need to know about the green screen key effect and how to apply it using different video editing software. In addition, you will discover why the effect is popular with video editors. Keep reading to find out more.

Part1: What is keying in green screen?

Keying refers to a post-production process of separating and isolating an image’s aspects using color or brightness. Typically, filmmakers use it to remove green screens and make color corrections to add warmth to the subjects’ skin tones.

It involves identifying a color or brightness value that you will make transparent in the photo. In addition, you can use two types of keys during the keying process.

Chroma Keys

These allow you to select a specific color in your image and make everything that features the color transparent. Typically, chrome keys are best for images and videos featuring lots of green or blue backgrounds.

Luma Keys

Alternatively, you can use luma keys to determine which backgrounds will be transparent according to the brightness level. In addition, you can use them to designate the backgrounds you want opaque in your final image.

So, why do filmmakers prefer using a green screen? First, green is not a natural color in human skin tones. As such, it allows you more creative freedom with your shots. In addition, most digital cameras feature more green photosites allowing you to capture more details in your shots and making it the default choice for filmmakers.

However, you can also use a blue screen for your shots if green is your subject’s main color scheme. This is because blue is also rare among human subjects and allows you greater flexibility than any other background alternative.

Using a green screen key is an important skill to learn as a filmmaker. This is because it allows you more creative freedom resulting in more iconic images and photos. Although most video editing software allows you to apply the effect easily, it still requires finesse.

For example, using after effects green screen keying incorrectly can result in spill issues. This is when the green light from your screen bounces back to your subject. As such, you lose some subject detail, and the image appears messy.

Furthermore, not all video editing software includes the green screen key tool. Therefore, always check your software details before purchasing a copy. The next section contains step-by-step guides on performing green screen keying on some of the industry’s most popular software.

Part2: How to do Green Screen Keying in After Effects?

Adobe After Effects green screen keying tool is arguably one of the top favorites for filmmakers. It features a user-friendly interface, and several keying presets you can use to achieve incredible photo finishes. For example, the Keylight effect is an Academy Award-winning preset you can use to apply professional-quality color keying.

Follow these steps to do green screen keying using Adobe After Effects.

1. Upload your footage to Adobe After Effects

Launch the program from your macOS or Windows device, and click on the New Composition From Footage option. A pop-up window with your file locations will appear and click on the footage you want to import. Ensure the footage you use is shot using a green screen background to achieve the best results.

2. Using the green screen key presets

Once the footage is imported, click on the Window menu option on your workspace, and click on Effects & Presets from the sub-menu. Once the panel opens, tap Animation Presets and highlight the Keylight + Key Cleaner + Advanced Spill Suppressor preset from the Image-Utilities menu.

3. Drag and drop the preset to your footage

Then drag and drop the effect to your uploaded footage to begin the keying process. The green screen key preset applies three effects to your image:

Keylight effect.

The effect allows you to select the background color you want to make transparent. First, select the green screen background by clicking on Screen Color and selecting Color Picker. Then apply the effect by clicking on the green background closest to your subject.

Key cleaner effect.

The key cleaner effect sharpens your subject’s edges for a more detailed finish. In addition, you will rarely adjust its values because it automatically corresponds to the changes you make using the Keylight effect. However, you can adjust the Additional Edge Radius and Reduce Chatter options to decrease the visible noise of your image. Furthermore, you can use the Alpha Contrast adjustment to increase the sharpness of your subject’s edges.

Advanced spill suppressor.

Sometimes your green screen background can spill to your subject’s edges resulting in a messy outline. For example, you may find a green outline on your subject’s hair or clothing. The Advanced Spill Suppressor eliminates these outlines automatically. You can enable the effect by clicking the check box next to the effect from the Animation Presets panel.

4. Apply a new background

Once you apply the green screen key effect, you can add any custom background to your footage. You need to Import the file to your After Effects library and then drag & drop it into your footage’s timeline.

Remember, you must have an active Adobe After Effects license to access the green screen keying feature. In addition, you get access to Adobe Creative Cloud, which offers access to creative asset libraries such as Behance and Adobe Fonts. Alternatively, you can check out the free 7-day trial available to all new users.

Part3: How to do Green Screen Keying in Filmora? [Free& Easy]

Filmora is another popular video editing software that features a green screen editor as part of its effects. The tool, officially known as Chroma Key, allows you to swap your image backgrounds using different colors or images from your internal library.

In addition, the tool is available as a free trial for Windows and macOS devices. However, you will only find it on Filmora version 9 and above. Here is a step-by-step guide on green screen keying using Chroma Key on Filmora.

1. Upload your footage to Filmora

Launch the program on your device and click on the New Project option. A window will open where you can Import your green screen footage and the desired background. Once done, you will Drag and Drop the clips to your project’s first and second tracks in the timeline.

2. Adjust your green screen settings

Then, double-click your green screen footage to open the Edit Panel. Select the Video Tab and check the Chroma Key box to enable the effect. Once done, you can use the following tools to edit your footage:

Alpha Channel

The tool allows you to edit the footage’s borders, transparency, and shadows by displaying your image in black and white. The areas you have successfully keyed out will be in black and the rest in white or grey, depending on the severity.

Offset

The offset tool allows you to change the visibility of your background.

Edge Feathering.

You use this tool to soften your subject’s edges during green screen keying.

Edge Thickness.

The edge thickness tool helps you increase the sharpness of your subject’s edges. As such, they appear more detailed resulting in a clear and well-balanced photo.

3. Merge the new background

Once you complete the green screen keying, merging the new background is next. You do this by seamlessly positioning the background to fit your green screen footage. Then, the Filmora Chroma key tool will merge the images or footage and make it appear as one clip.

4. Export your content

Finally, you can export your content in multiple formats to suit your desired platform. For example, you can export the file in either MP4, WMV, or MOV to share on most social media platforms.

Please note that you need an active Filmora subscription to use Chroma Key. In addition, you can subscribe to individual and business plans depending on your requirements. However, any creations using the Filmora Individual plan require you to mention the software in their description.

Part4: FAQs

1. Is there a difference between chroma keying and green screening?

No. There is no difference between chroma keying and green screening. Both processes involve you replacing a specific color in your image and replacing it with a new background. In addition, some filmmakers use the terms synonymously because green is the best color to use when chroma keying. However, you can also use other colors for your chroma keying, with blue being the next best alternative.

2. Can you create a green screen video without using a green screen background?

Yes. It is possible to create a green screen video without a green background. Several apps, including Zoom and Tik Tok, have in-built digital green screens, which you can use to customize your creations. However, you need to have a capable device to access the function.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Kdenlive Video Editor Review

When you look for an open source video editor online, you will come across several popular video editors. One of them has to be Kdenlive video editor that is available free and compatible across all desktop operating systems. The video editor claims to be suitable for beginners as well as for professional video editors.

Starting from multi-track video editing and support for different file formats to loads to effects and flexible interface, Kdenlive video editor seems to be truly powerful. But is it comparable to premium video editors and is it suitable for standard and advanced video editing? Read our Kdenlive tutorial and review for everything you need to know.

Part 1. Key Features of Kdenlive

If you need to edit videos occasionally, a free video editor is what you will be looking for. Unfortunately, most free videos have very basic video editing tools and they are suitable for editing personal videos only. On the contrary, Kdenlive comes with all the standard as well as some advanced video editing features. Here are all the key features of Kdenlive video editor that you should be aware of.

Multi-track editing – Kdenlive comes with a versatile timeline where you can have multiple tracks consisting of video clips, audio files and different effects and objects. You can lock the tracks as well as mute them so that you can experiment as you edit your video.

Effects and Transitions – Even though limited, there are eye-catching effects and transitions available. You can also go for color correction as well as minor adjustments in your audio. Besides, the titler lets you create amazing 2D texts and titles.

Proxy Editing – Kdenlive uses proxy editing technique to lower the resolution of high-resolution videos while you edit them. This takes away the pressure on the CPU resources, but when it renders, the original resolution gets restored back. That is why Kdenlive has been effective in low-end computers as well.

Flexible User Interface – Kdenlive comes with a customizable user interface. This means you can arrange the layouts of your workflow as per your requirements. Besides, there are configurable keyboard shortcuts. There are also different themes available for the user interface.

Keyframing – One of the advanced features of Kdenlive is that you can keyframe any effect. This means you can change the parameters of the effects with time using curves. Besides, the software supports green screen effect.

Miscellaneous – The software supports almost all types of audio and video file formats. There is an option for automatic backup which is highly useful in any video editing software. The software also supports online resources and add-ons.

Part 2. Basic Editing with Kdenlive

Kdenlive is available for free and you should definitely try it out. Thereafter, you decide whether it is perfect for you or not. After Kdenlive download, here are all the steps for basic video editing with Kdenlive.

Import a clip:

Step 1: Launch Kdenlive on your computer and make sure you have the video clip ready on your hard drive.

Step 2: Go to Project menu option. Click on “Add Clip or Folder” option. You can include all the video clips on any folder.

Step 3: The imported clips will then have to be dragged and dropped on the timeline from Project Bin.

Trim and Export:

Step 1: Import the video clip on Kdenlive and drag and drop the clip on the timeline.

Step 2: Put the timeline cursor over the point on the video clip from where you want to trim it.

Step 3: Click on Scissor icon to start trimming. Thereafter, move the red timeline cursor to the point where you want the trimming to end.

Add multiple tracks:

There is enough number of tracks already available on Kdenlive timeline. However, when you are editing a large video project, you may need more tracks that already present.

Step 1: Go to Timeline menu option.

Step 2: Go to Tracks> Inset Track option.

Step 3: Enter a name for the track and select the type of track and click on Ok button.

Adjust brightness and contrast:

Step 1: Go to Effects> Color and Image Correction.

Step 2: Drag and drop Brightness or Contrast directly on the video clip.

Step 3: Click on Brightness that you just placed on the video clip and adjust the parameter from its slider.

Speed up or slow down:

Step 1: Right-click on the video clip that is on the timeline and click on Change Speed option.

Step 2: Adjust the slider to increase or decrease video clip speed and click on Ok button.

Part 3. Advanced Editing with Kdenlive

Now that we have discussed the basic editing Kdenlive tutorial, let us focus on a couple of useful advanced editing features of Kdenlive.

Use green screen effects:

You must have the video clip with green screen background on the timeline. Below the green screen clip should be the background image with which you want to replace the green screen background.

Step 1: Go to Effect> Alpha, Mask and Keying option.

Step 2: Drag and drop “Chroma Key : Advanced” on the video clip where there is a green screen.

Step 3: Click on video clip and adjust the parameters to soften the edges and make it as natural as possible.

**Add audio:

Adding audio files and music files to the video is as easy as adding video clips. You should have your audio file ready on your hard drive.

Step 1: Go to Project menu option. Click on “Add Clip or Folder” option. Select the audio file or folder from your hard drive.

Step 2: The imported audio files will have to be dragged and dropped on the timeline from Project Bin.

Part 4. Best Kdenlive Alternative to Edit Videos

Kdenlive has several drawbacks that prevent it from becoming the best video editor. Even though the features are sufficient for beginners, it is not suitable for professional editing. There is a lack of advanced options such as motion tracking or faster video production. Besides, the effects are very limited in number and so are the text and audio effects. That is why we recommend Wondershare Filmora as the best alternative to Kdenlive Mac and Windows.

Filmora is a premium video editor with video capturing feature. You can record your screen and webcam video. There is no dearth of effects, filters, elements and royalty-free media files. The user interface is cleaner and hence, it is suitable for both beginners and professionals. Here are the key features of Filmora.

Try It Free

For Win 7 or later (64-bit)

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

4K video editing and exporting without lag.
Noise removal, color tuning, and video stabilization.
Standard editing like trim, crop, split, join, rotate etc.
Advanced text styles, audio mixing options, and audio equalizers.
Wide range of stock media files. Supports different file formats.
Capture screen and webcam video with internal and external audio.

Frequently Asked Questions

**Is Kdenlive a good editor?

Kdenlive is a good editor if you are getting started in video editing or you are editing your video for personal usage. However, for professional and even social media videos, a premium video editor will be better. We recommend Filmora over Kdenlive because Kdenlive lacks advanced video editing options.

**Does Kdenlive cost money?

Kdenlive Windows, Mac, and Linux are available free of cost as it belongs to the open-source software category. There is also no premium version available, and hence, all the features are unlocked in the free version.

**What can you do with Kdenlive?

You can trim your video, add music, add effects, adjust speed, correct colors, and add green screen effect. Besides, you can add multiple video clips and audio files to the timeline. There are options for keyframable effects as well.

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

4K video editing and exporting without lag.
Noise removal, color tuning, and video stabilization.
Standard editing like trim, crop, split, join, rotate etc.
Advanced text styles, audio mixing options, and audio equalizers.
Wide range of stock media files. Supports different file formats.
Capture screen and webcam video with internal and external audio.

Frequently Asked Questions

**Is Kdenlive a good editor?

**Does Kdenlive cost money?

**What can you do with Kdenlive?

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

4K video editing and exporting without lag.
Noise removal, color tuning, and video stabilization.
Standard editing like trim, crop, split, join, rotate etc.
Advanced text styles, audio mixing options, and audio equalizers.
Wide range of stock media files. Supports different file formats.
Capture screen and webcam video with internal and external audio.

Frequently Asked Questions

**Is Kdenlive a good editor?

**Does Kdenlive cost money?

**What can you do with Kdenlive?

Try It Free

For macOS 10.12 or later

4K video editing and exporting without lag.
Noise removal, color tuning, and video stabilization.
Standard editing like trim, crop, split, join, rotate etc.
Advanced text styles, audio mixing options, and audio equalizers.
Wide range of stock media files. Supports different file formats.
Capture screen and webcam video with internal and external audio.

Frequently Asked Questions

**Is Kdenlive a good editor?

**Does Kdenlive cost money?

**What can you do with Kdenlive?

How to Make a Neon Dance Effect With Filmora

Neon colors in videos are constantly attracting and compelling the scenes. So how it looks if dancing videos have this feature? For sure, it’ll be dreamier and more classy.

After moving toward, the following steps of processing neon effects, you will find different effects to make your video filmier. Wondershare Filmora provides all types of products on one platform. Then try it out and enjoy the rest. Scroll more to learn about the neon effect before editing your video!

Neon Dance Effects in Wondershare Filmora

You often watch viral dance videos or commercials in which a neon highlight of a person dances aside from them in the video. Yes! You can also make that just in a few minutes.

In this case, Wondershare Filmora is considered to be your partner. Filmora is a fantastic tool that you can have at your disposal to edit a range of videos. There are tons of neon effects in Filmora, including neon frames, neon swings, or even multiple neon overlays.

Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later

Steps to Make a Neon Dance Effect With Filmora

The public is tired now of seeing old video graphics in dancing videos. It’s time to add neon colors to give a fascinating look. Follow the step-by-step guide mentioned below, and let’s get going!

Step1 Import Clips into the Timeline

Before we begin to edit our video, make sure you download Wondershare Filmora. First, you need to create a timeline to edit our dancing clips. For this, take a look at the below steps!

Click on the Import icon in the main window when you open Wondershare Filmora.
Then, import the video clips you want to edit.
Now, drag the Video and drop it in the editing timeline below.

Step2 Add the Same Video again

We aim to create a black background for the original video we imported above. To do so, follow the steps mentioned below.

Drag and drop the same video on the timeline.
Make sure to drag and drop it above the original video.

Step3 Go into the Compositing Mode

After adding the same video, now convert BG into a black screen. For this, follow the given steps:

Double-Click on the video we added later.
A video editing panel will open up in the Import
Scroll down till you see the compositing tab.
Here will have to change the Blending mode.
Click on the tab ahead that is labeled “Norma“
A drop-down option will open up.
In this drop-down option, scroll below to “Difference“.

As soon as you click on the Difference option, you will notice a change in the main play window; it will all turn to a black screen.

Step4 Add the Pixelated Edges effect

Our target is to outline the individual in the video, so we can move on to create the Neon Highlight effect. To do so, follow these steps!

First, go into the effects option that you can select from the tab above the import window.
In the effects panel, search for the Pixelated edges
You will notice a search bar in the top right corner. Type “Pixelated edges,“ and you will see some effects pop up in the import window.

Select the Pixelated edges effect. Then, click and drag it below the video that we turned to black using the Difference
The edges of the individual dancing in the video will be outlined.

Step5 Change the outline color

You may not like the default color with the Pixelated edges effect. But no worries, you can change that to whatever color you desire by following these steps:

Double-Click on the video in which you added the effect.
An editing panel will pop up.
Click on the Effect option below the Video
Here, you can see the color option.
Click on the color and select whatever suits you the best.

Step6 Create Multiple Outlines

It would help if you created multiple outlines to achieve the Neon Dance effect. These multiple outlines will be produced by exporting them multiple times with the color you want. Follow the below points to get it instantly!

When you have selected the color for your outline, export the video by clicking on the Export icon in the top right corner.

When you have exported the video, move back to the timeline to edit again.
As we had selected the Blue color for reference, now choose another color you wish.
After changing the video, export it again.

Note: Export as many times as you want with the color of your choice. E.g., 5 colors = 5 exports.

Step7 Import the exported videos

Now you have to import the videos that you exported.
Before doing that, first, delete the video in track 2. (The video on which we applied the Difference)
Now select all the exports from your library and import them onto the import window.
Please select all of them and drag them on the timeline.

Note: You don’t want all the outlines to play simultaneously. Otherwise, the outlines will not appear to be separate.

To do so, stack the videos on each other on different tracks.

Tip: The trick here will be to offset the video by a few seconds so that each video plays a little later than the other.

To efficiently blend the outlines with the green screen, you can change the blending mode of each of the exported videos to “Lighten.”

Double-click on each video.
In the editing panel, choose compositing.
From there, select the “Lighten“ option.

Step8 Add the Glow effect

To make the outlines glow like Neon lights, we will need to add another effect from the effects library.

Go to the effects tab and search for “Glow.”
Click and drag the glow effect to each of the exported videos.

You can make it more fun by going one step further!

Double-click on each of the glow effects that you added.
In effect, the editing panel goes to the video effects.
Here, you can change the radius of the Glow effect you added.
Similarly, you can do it in all the other videos.

Step9 Apply the Green screen effect

We will change our green screen for the final part. Follow the last steps, and then enjoy!

Move the green screen footage below them all to the top track.
Double-click the video to enter the editing panel.
Go to the chroma key (Green Screen) in the editing panel**.**
Click on the arrow aside from the tab.

You will immediately see changes to your video in the main play window. Play the video from the start and notice the changes.

Congratulations! You have successfully created Neon Dance effects by using the user-friendly Wondershare Filmora.

Conclusion

Wondershare Filmora offers a variety of editing features that you can use to create very innovative videos. You can quickly create Neon effects in your dance videos next time by following the above steps! Add more creativity to attract more audience. Have fun and explore more effects to get unique results!

Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later