Digital Code for Chroma Green?

MH_Stevens wrote on 1/17/2007, 9:55 AM

Does anyone know the hex color code for the best green to use with Vegas Chroma-keying? I need paint for a wall and the pro paint is expensive and has shipping problems. Also any hints on using the "built-in" chroma-key functions of Vegas? Should I consider a Chroma-key software like Serious Magic's Ultra2?

Cheers,

Mike

Comments

Jay Gladwell wrote on 1/17/2007, 11:47 AM

Ultra 2 is excellent. Many people use house paint in a bright lime green. Works very well from what I've seen.

Behr (Home Depot) has a one called Apple Orchard (430B-5) that would probably work. Check their web site.

MH_Stevens wrote on 1/17/2007, 7:30 PM

Thanks Jay. Are you implying that Chroma-keying in Vegas is not up to scratch.

Jim H wrote on 1/17/2007, 7:50 PM

Chromo in any SW is touch and go unless you got some serious in control lighting and exposure. Ultra 2 on the other hand does a smashing job on medium and tight shots with the minimal amount of a care in lighting. Long shots (when you want the feet on a green floor) are very difficult and rely on lots of light else you get shadows.

goshep wrote on 1/17/2007, 8:06 PM

I am by no means an expert but I have followed the chroma threads on this forum closely. I've had pretty good results with Vegas chroma keying. My lighting is el cheapo but I've followed the advice of quite a few members here and made the most of what I have. For a backdrop, I use a gigantic (sewn together by an in-law) blue monstrosity that cost me $38 in material. It is as close to pure blue as I could find. Why blue and not green? I couldn't find a suitable green at the fabric store. Anyway, I think you want to shoot for as pure a green as you can get in paint color. Anything else is introducing other colors that will complicate your keying. Someone may jump in and correct me but this is what I've learned from this forum and it has worked well for me. Your lighting is as (or more) important than your choice of backdrop. I've heard Ultra does a great job on bad lighting but you can save yourself some money if you focus on proper lighting.

vicmilt wrote on 1/18/2007, 3:55 AM

If you are doing a lot of keying (and I do) - Ultra is the only way to go.

Why - because it's so darn easy to cut great keys, and from the WORST source material - period.

Plus if you can combine your keying with a slightly "better/newer" 3D video card (see SeriousMagic for specs), the render is super fast. Ultra lays a load of the render work onto the video card.

And it'll take HDV direct.

And the interface is neato - letting you do zooms, repositions, color corrections (pre and post) and all kinds of other stuff.

Add all that to the nfity 3D sets they give you (and sell), and it's a no brainer. Check out their free samples at www.seriousmagic.com

Very happy user

BTW - there is no "magic chromakey color". Get any bright green, and make sure it's flat paint. You'll be fine.

Chienworks wrote on 1/18/2007, 5:04 AM

The color itself doesn't matter, as long as it's strong and doesn't occur in the subject in front of it. If you're videotaping someone in the Riddler's costume then obvsiously green is exactly the wrong color for keying. Bright breen is often chosen because it rarely occurs in people or their clothing. Bright blue is often a good choice too.

For that matter, even if you could get the paint store to mix something that exactly matched a certain hex color code (doubtful), your light source and camera's CCD would alter that color by the time it got recorded.