ALL DESIGN TOOLS
121. Advanced Soft Keying
• Key out footage without eliminating the soft reflections
• Composite in 32bpc for more realistic blending
• Composite in 32bpc for more realistic blending
Posted on Oct 16, 2011
791,485
VFX PLAYLIST
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3D Set Extensions
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Mid-Air Emergency!
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Advanced Soft Keying
Key out footage without eliminating the soft reflections
35:00
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TUTORIAL NOTES:
Special Thanks to Brandon F. for helping develop this technique for After Effects!
Having trouble viewing this tutorial via YouTube?
Click Here To Watch on Video Copilot
Click Here To Watch on Video Copilot
162 Comments
Danny
8 years ago
Does anyone know if there's a 32 bit alternative to using the 8bpc Channel Combiner? I want to work in 32bpc and export as a 32bit DPX or EXR for grading in resolve. Using the current channel combiner gives me a warning about reducing color precision and losing HDR values 
Mphatso Chambakata
9 years ago
Andie....the way you do your thing....you must becoming from one other planets out there...I like you personally
haider
10 years ago
I don't have green screen and I've shoot the video like this one but I don't know now how to key out background without green screen.. Any one there for help?
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
proshenjit
10 years ago
This is awesome. Thank you, Andrew! Is there a script for this precomposing process? Seems like it would speed up the workflow if you had a ton of green screen footage.
Mike Wilson
10 years ago
This is awesome. Thank you, Andrew! Is there a script for this precomposing process? Seems like it would speed up the workflow if you had a ton of green screen footage.
Jaymes Romero
10 years ago
So....this kind of half helped. This method of keying only seems to work for a shot like this whereas if you tried to use it for any other shot, you get stuck with a grey background instead of a green background. Some help on getting rid of the background would be great.
Tejas
11 years ago
hey Andrew, i saw your tutorial and its very helpful to me.
i am a big fan of yours.
i have shot a video from my canon5dmark3 and i keyed it as you did the footage had got descent keying but i have lot of noise on cloth all over the body do you have any solution for it
Regards.
i am a big fan of yours.
i have shot a video from my canon5dmark3 and i keyed it as you did the footage had got descent keying but i have lot of noise on cloth all over the body do you have any solution for it
Regards.
ben
11 years ago
i need to know where i can find good background plates for driving at night any ideas
yusuf
11 years ago
Very cool. This tutorial was very helpful and well presented.
Thanks Andrew, Much appreciated
Regards.
Thanks Andrew, Much appreciated
Regards.
kaps
12 years ago
Hey Andrew, I saw your tutorial and its very helpful to me. Thanks for posting the tutorials and I have seen your video tutorials earlier also. Can you please do one favour for me because I am fresher in vfx industry and I have keen interest in making clean plate in photoshop. I want a video tutorial of a character moving in the scene and also the camera must be moving, I want that moving character to be removed from that scene and keeping the background same. I want the video tutorial done in photoshop so could you please forward me the video tutorial on kapilkalal91@gmail.com
sebastian
12 years ago
sometimes i feel like listening to a rocket scientist - cause i have no idea what you´re talking about. but absolutely genious tutorials. watched 5 yesterday cause i couldn't sleep
ProFocus
13 years ago
This is an awesome technique and does great for semi-transparent situations. I'd like to use the same approach for saving fine detail around hair but on 100% transparent backgrounds. I'm getting close, but it seems the real trick here is to have the gain in the first KeyLight set below 100. Doing this will always make it semi-transparent - well in my tests so far. Is there a better approach to keeping fine detail around hair?
Shashwat
13 years ago
hi, Andrew plz can u tell me the best requirement for my pc for these types of rendering and effects
Rajesh
13 years ago
Hey Andrew, I saw your tutorial and its very helpful to me. Thanks for posting the tutorials and I have seen your video tutorials earlier also. Can you please do one favour for me because I am fresher in vfx industry and I have keen interest in making clean plate in photoshop. I want a video tutorial of a character moving in the scene and also the camera must be moving, I want that moving character to be removed from that scene and keeping the background same. I want the video tutorial done in photoshop so could you please forward me the video tutorial on my email id rajesh.kambli@gmail.com
thanks
Regards
Rajesh
thanks
Regards
Rajesh
AlegreFranz
13 years ago
Hey Andrew, the project files don't have the Sam_Plate.mov you used in the tutorial! only Raw_BG and street_BG i'm sad now
i'm sad now
Timber_Wolf_2
13 years ago
There's a scream sound effect at 1:33/1:34. I have heard it in a zillion action films such as Star Wars, LOTR, Cars, just to name a few. But I have heard this sound effect so many times! WHY?! What's so special about that stupid unrealistic-sounding scream???? Is there an industry inside joke or something? Please!!! I must know!!
Sagar
13 years ago
Hi have been following ur tutorials from very long and seriously loved them all and this one too really helpful 
thanks a lot Andrew
thanks a lot Andrew
Timber_Wolf_2
13 years ago
OK, AK, let me throw a curve-ball at you: Say I want to use this technique for keying someone with soft, whispy hair... Your advanced keying method works great for eliminating shimmer and artifacting and suppressing the green in hair, but it leaves an unfortunate gray glow or shadow under the semi-transparent parts of the hair whisps, or moving hair. Any further tips on fixing this?
David Ejibe
13 years ago
thank God for giving you the opportunities to help dull brains like us i can now apply effects on my layer...from Nigeria
Kombi Studios
13 years ago
Cool. Now i need a greenscreen, a car, a way to get the wrinkles out of the green screen and two horses.
:3
:3
Splash films inc.
13 years ago
Andrew just gotta say that when I'm feeling down or something I say I have to go watch one of Andrew Kramer's tutorials. 
R-CANE
13 years ago
One of the best and useful tutorials I have ever seen! I love working with green screen and making it look natural, this tutorial helped me a lot!
Edvan Silva
13 years ago
Tutorial super bacana, gosstei muito e aprendi muito com o vÃdeo copilot. Parabéns.
Edvan Silva
Brasil
Edvan Silva
Brasil
Michael Schroll
13 years ago
Hey, you are using keylight to delete the greenscreen in the background... But this only works in CS4, I have CS5 and with the color-keyer it doesnt work... so wold should I use for color keying?
Andrés Azuero
13 years ago
How do you export the 5d footages when you are ready to work in post porduction? I have a canon 7d and I have the eos plug in for FCP. But, I want to know if there is another kind of procedures to export material!
Thx!
Thx!
kwaku nyantekyi
13 years ago
I'm I the only one struggling to understand this? I feel so dumb right now. lol
sam
13 years ago
Dude your work is like an inspiration of lifetime... and where the hell did you get your HUMOR, seriously? text while driving was like one of the best comedy scenes ever!
JHIL Blanket
13 years ago
You have been a tremendous blessing and mean of encouragement to me, God Bless you for me. You have inspired me further with this very one.
Stefano Bianchi
13 years ago
Thank you Andrew.
It's great what you're doing for us.
Ciao from Italy to all the users from all around the world!
It's great what you're doing for us.
Ciao from Italy to all the users from all around the world!
BRANDON
14 years ago
I am confused about the purpose of the precomped key.
I understand that the top layer with the key is used for a track matte. So there is less noise in the footage. But which key controls the amount of reflection in the window? And how can I reduce noise in it?
I understand that the top layer with the key is used for a track matte. So there is less noise in the footage. But which key controls the amount of reflection in the window? And how can I reduce noise in it?
Sajjad
14 years ago
hi
will you please put the tutorial file to download
we are having very difficulities with Internet In Iran. thank you
will you please put the tutorial file to download
we are having very difficulities with Internet In Iran. thank you
Ryan
14 years ago
Well I did it, finally got through all of your tuts. Awesome, I've learned so much thanks to you. I can't wait to see what you come out with next and I know I'll be revisiting these tutorials often.
Thanks a ton for all you do Andrew!
Thanks a ton for all you do Andrew!
Tornato7
14 years ago
You, sir, are a genius. All of the subtle little changes you make really make your work look amazing.
GreenScreen
14 years ago
When I download the Project files, and unzip them, all I get is a four-second silent clip some guy talking to someone off-camera.....
Aznan
14 years ago
Hi,
Lov this tutorial..
Cant stop laughing at the "Texting & Driving" ...
keep it up... and we'll keep on supporting ur excellent JOB!
Lov this tutorial..
Cant stop laughing at the "Texting & Driving" ...
keep it up... and we'll keep on supporting ur excellent JOB!
Peter K.
14 years ago
Hey Andrew,
Great tutorial as usual... two quick questions:
Is it possible to shoot this handheld as opposed to with sticks and achieve the same effect? In other words stabilize it in AE, key and ad background then revert the whole comp to look shaky?
Also - If you wanted to blow this comp up for projection (feature film work) - Does expanding the size as you did in the tutorial effect the projection quality in a big way (if you're shooting on a 7D)
Many Thanks!
Great tutorial as usual... two quick questions:
Is it possible to shoot this handheld as opposed to with sticks and achieve the same effect? In other words stabilize it in AE, key and ad background then revert the whole comp to look shaky?
Also - If you wanted to blow this comp up for projection (feature film work) - Does expanding the size as you did in the tutorial effect the projection quality in a big way (if you're shooting on a 7D)
Many Thanks!
MONGOLIAN MAN- bMax
14 years ago
Hi Andrew, i'am Mongolian man, i like graphic design, i you too Good luck Andrew. my id bMax_ART@yahoo.com
Good luck Andrew. my id bMax_ART@yahoo.com
Meeka
14 years ago
Andrew, I just start useing green backgroung This is exactly what I needed thank you so much
thnaks
thnaks
Dave
14 years ago
What's the best way to retain the nice looking 32 bit lighting effects when you go back to a standard 8 bit .mov? In the past I've turned on 32 bit in AE and everything looks great, but when you render out to the standard 8 bit animation codec, it looks just like you where never working in 32. This is assuming that rending out to .exr and printing to film is not an option....
RAJ
14 years ago
too good,sir u r the best.i have learned so much from u but i still confused with different blending modes and expressions of AE
RAJ
14 years ago
too good,sir u r the best.i have learned so much from u but i still confused with different blending modes and expressions of AE
Michael Packer
14 years ago
You guys totally break me up...and keep me interested in learning...
Andrew, Time for you to stop the b roll part acting and take a main role as an A Lister......
Andrew, Time for you to stop the b roll part acting and take a main role as an A Lister......
Camus360s
14 years ago
MuchÃsimas gracias, no sé si sepan hablar o leer Español pero aún asà les agradezco en mi idioma. Gracias por estos excelentes tutoriales que nos ofrecen.
neil anderson
14 years ago
I really enjoyed this one. I love the quick, easy, and most of all, USEFUL tutorial. Thanks
Aniket Bhatt
14 years ago
Im totally gonna use this
youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MarvelUsProductions
youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/MarvelUsProductions
Brian Burch
14 years ago
hi i just figured i would let you know i am 11 year old filmmaker using after effects and final cut 10 about a month ago i was able to meet Walter Biscardi and was the special guest at the atlanta cutters converince my mom went to high school with walter i enjoy watching your tutorials and it would be awesome if you could come to a atlanta cutters converince and if you could watch my youtube channel www.youtube.com/megaorcas it would be gladly appreciated
Mst207777777
14 years ago
good ! tutorial keep it' goin ! we following.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuDVAKI903w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuDVAKI903w
Julian Springer
14 years ago
Very good. Thanks for the keying tutorial. I have wasted so much time tinkering with all the setting in the past as i try to get it perfect. this will help a great deal.
Justin Melson
14 years ago
How did he get 23.976 footage from the canon 5dmkII?
I thought it can only shoot in 30 fps?
I thought it can only shoot in 30 fps?
VINCE
14 years ago
OH THANKS GOD, ANOTHER TUTORIALS THAT I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR SOOO SOO LONG!!! nice job bro Andrew!
Dee
14 years ago
Great tutorials!! as always. quick question, does 32 bits affect keying? due to color information?
thanks!
Dee
thanks!
Dee
Steve
14 years ago
Im not trying to one-up the all-mighty Andrew Kramer, but one method i use to get rid of noise in keyed footage is in Key Light, go to Screen Matte > Replace Method > Source. The default is different and I noticed in the tutorial Andrew didn't do that. Maybe Andrew had a reason, but I used that method and it worked great.
Either way, fantastic tutorial, and keep'em coming!
Either way, fantastic tutorial, and keep'em coming!
Haitham Zaki
14 years ago
Thanks and appreciation is addressed to Mr. Andrew Kramer on what we offer our community the After Effects
Erik
14 years ago
Wow, I had to watch it 3 times before I understood the keying part. Now that I do, thank you so much! Brilliant solution.
Yaseen
14 years ago
nice and btw i am waiting for some 3ds mas and demon cam tutorial from you please make it fast Andrew i am eagerly waiting for it.... and thanks for all your tutorials...
R-CANE
14 years ago
I love to create things with chroma key, and getting help from you in making things look more realistic is always appreciated. Thank you for another learning experience
Motion Trips
14 years ago
Yo! Andrew Kramer i´m Angolan and I am not a person who speaks English, but I learned a lot from tuts ... agredeço the spectacular great job ... I am director, editor and
camera man ... your example gives me strength to make my movie and I think I need your help if possible.
camera man ... your example gives me strength to make my movie and I think I need your help if possible.
HemantG
14 years ago
this is great to learn VFX from you people,
You are excellent in your profession.
Thanks..... for help other...
You are excellent in your profession.
Thanks..... for help other...
Isa
14 years ago
I really like this effect though I don't have a green background for my video. Any tips other than to hold a green blanket behind??
Any tips other than to hold a green blanket behind??
Owen
14 years ago
I did something similar, only instead of window grime. It was a guy waving with a lot of motion blur.
Ice Rew
14 years ago
you are getting a lot of good work out of your cannon 5D. very informative. i am very grateful!
Kai
14 years ago
Not sure if you knew, but in Keylight, under the "View" dropdown, switching it to "Status" is a good way to see the matte in black and white, when you start tweaking things.
Gene Eilebrecht
14 years ago
That's extremely helpful! Thanks so much for this, it is useful for so many things.
Joseph O'Brien
14 years ago
Having just completed a feature film featuring A LOT of footage of actors in a car, shot on greenscreen, this tutorial could literally not have arrived at a better moment. Thanks, as always, for sharing this wealth of information.
Cheers,
Joe O'Brien
Director/VFX Supervisor
THE DEVIL'S MILE
Cheers,
Joe O'Brien
Director/VFX Supervisor
THE DEVIL'S MILE
EvolutionDesign
14 years ago
Keying is a thing we can not really leave out in the industry (sorry for my typo before)
Pulling good keys on whatever background is hard to do and this tutorial is really what I was looking for.
So far, IMO Ultra key in premiere pro CS5 is still the one you need, but if you have the patience, AE can do the job also as seen in this tutorial.
Keep up the good work and we'll see you next time in a new 3D elements tutorial
Pulling good keys on whatever background is hard to do and this tutorial is really what I was looking for.
So far, IMO Ultra key in premiere pro CS5 is still the one you need, but if you have the patience, AE can do the job also as seen in this tutorial.
Keep up the good work and we'll see you next time in a new 3D elements tutorial
Sam
14 years ago
I love the Wilhelm scream and the texting laugh as you're falling. Well done Andrew.
George
14 years ago
Very nice tutoria,just need the same higlight from behind because the lights will illuminate both the face (the mirror) and the neck.
felipe
14 years ago
very good tutorial, my problem is that when rendering my video does not look like when I work in After Effects, the video looks washed or faded, I did color corrections, but the end result is different. some advice from Andrew or any around here, thanks, excellent technique Andrew
EvilInYourCloset
14 years ago
"...to make Sam's head look more Three-Dimensional..."
Yep, definitely! Cuz we all know that Sam doesnt have any depth...
Yep, definitely! Cuz we all know that Sam doesnt have any depth...
Aaron
14 years ago
Great tutorial! I have one question: Why do you use tint to reduce saturation, instead of using HLS? Thanks.
max
14 years ago
hello guys
when doing a mask for rear mirror reflection and scrolling through frames, i get an AE crash cause by plugin Curves. anybody get the same or knows what might cause this?
when doing a mask for rear mirror reflection and scrolling through frames, i get an AE crash cause by plugin Curves. anybody get the same or knows what might cause this?
Michael
14 years ago
great work, awesome ideas... i'm fascinated as to how you can create tutorials like this and keep things interesting... ty Andrew
ps. ty for putting the "post comment" box at the top instead of the bottom...
ps. ty for putting the "post comment" box at the top instead of the bottom...
Shawn
14 years ago
Very nice, believable effect! The 32bpc makes a huge difference. The channel combiner is a sweet touch. Wouldn't have ever stumbled on that on my own, so thanks to you and Brandon! Do you have any tips for getting that nice smooth background footage....
Joseph
14 years ago
Hey andrew awesome video as usual but I always wonder do you download your background from somewhere or do you think its better to shoot it with the same camera your shooting your video with?
DarkMaster
14 years ago
The very good and cool tutorial!Me is very like!
Excuse Me, I bad speak English.
Excuse Me, I bad speak English.
oceanthink
14 years ago
As usual no surprise, very good useful tutorial.
Andrew, cheers from INDIA . i feel lucky to comment on this tutorial and also being 7th person in comment list yes yes..... i love you man
Andrew, cheers from INDIA . i feel lucky to comment on this tutorial and also being 7th person in comment list
yes yes..... i love you man
Fabiano Peres
14 years ago
Nice Andrew.
Thanks for another tutorial.
P.S.: Download link is not working.
Thanks for another tutorial.
P.S.: Download link is not working.
Esmail
14 years ago
Overall, I find a good tutorial but perhaps we should not make too much of the background blurred. (ie the background is not so realistic)
Esmail
14 years ago
Insgesamt find ich eine Gute tutorial aber vielleicht sollte man der Hintergrund nicht zu viel unscharf stellen. (also Hintergrund ist nicht so realistisch)
