Chromakey Problems

lynj wrote on 12/23/2003, 4:15 PM

I'm using the chromakey for the first time. I have a black backgound and can't get rid of it. The lower track shows through, but is very gray through the black. Is there any way to make the background tranparent? I need a timely answer so please HELP!!! thanks.

Lynj

Comments

Spot|DSE wrote on 12/23/2003, 4:37 PM

You need something on a track under the keyed media first, or you need to select "Show Mask Only" when setting up the key, or removal of a color.
there is a tutorial on setting this up on the Sundance site, if that helps.
Without the background media in place, or checking the Mask checkbox, it's fairly difficult to get a clear view of what you are keying out.

Fleshpainter wrote on 12/23/2003, 5:39 PM

I usually use a megenta solid background while I'm adjusting the key color. This lets me see exactly what I'm doing. When its finished being adjusted replace the magenta with whatever you were going to use instead.

rebel44 wrote on 12/23/2003, 6:02 PM

You have 3 sliders underneath.The first one will remove more color that how you adjust how much color you want to remove.The second will give to you more contrast. Play with sliders and see the effect.To remove solid color pick eyedroper and pint at color you want to remove. The -using sliders- adjust amount of color you want to remove.

lynj wrote on 12/25/2003, 8:10 PM

Thanks, guys. I'm still not happy with the chromakey, but at least I can start to work on it!!

Lyn

MUTTLEY wrote on 12/25/2003, 10:57 PM

You might also try using the color pass with the secondary color corrector, this might help:

http://www.videoguys.com/Vegas_Tips/TTS01-11.pdf

- Ray

www.undergroundplanet.com

cyanide149 wrote on 12/26/2003, 3:17 AM

What cam are you using? I have a little JVC that will not allow proper keying...

farss wrote on 12/26/2003, 6:36 AM

I've never done a Ck of anything I've shot so this is only hearsay.
Lighting is everything when it comes to getting a good CK.
Also I hear it's worth actually making a quick capture and test key.
Hook camera via fwire to computer, capture and test how well it keys. Different camera / NLEs work differently and its much easier to fix a problem on the spot.

I'd suggest as shooting a CK scene involves a fair amount of work hiring a good camera might be a good investment if you really cannot get your camera to do it right although I'm told you can get good results from any camera with a bit of effort.

lynj wrote on 12/27/2003, 10:20 PM

I have Canon GL1. I think the subject's clothes have as much to do with my problems as anything else. I think I will just use it as an effect using colors rather than trying to put actual background behind it

rebel44 wrote on 12/28/2003, 7:54 AM

Chroma keying also called "blue screen or green screen" it is software and no hardware depended. It does not make a difference what camera you are
using to capture.You need to make a solid color background. Proper lighting it is very importand. If you get shadow- you my have a small problem.
Key out desire color and adjust. I never had any problem with. Works good.

filmy wrote on 12/28/2003, 12:23 PM

A lot of us like to use AlamDV and today I was checking on the availabitly of version 3 and found they are taking pre-orders for Chromanator. They say they made is for Mini-DV input. Check it out and maybe see if that will work better for you.

As an side - we all love the fact that Sony decided to keep the 'family' of SoFo around...well the folks who created AlamDV, and now Chromanator, are a team of 4 people. They love what they do and have brought AlamDV from version 1 up to the forthcoming 3 so I suspect Chromantor will have to same sort of development and ease of use. No I don't work for them - just a fan.

cyanide149 wrote on 12/28/2003, 2:55 PM

Rebel44: Chromakeying manipualtes a digital file created by a specific piece of hardware. It is not totally software dependant. This his been mentioned in other forums, with JVC often the culprit. I have a GL2 which allows perfect CK with my bluescreen backdrop (using Vegas). Until you actually compare the CK abilities of these two cams, please don't comment. Thank you.

riredale wrote on 12/28/2003, 3:52 PM

If a crummy camera creates a noisy color background, then, yes, it will not chromakey as well as a camera that delivers uniform pixels. Other than that, I can't see how ChromaKey is at all dependent of hardware.