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Frustrating chroma key problem …
I’m sure there is a simple explanation for this, but I’m using the chroma key feature for the first time and when I choose the eyedropper and select the green area of the screen nothing happens. I can see where it appears to be outlined, but it doesn’t drop out at all. I’ve watched numbers tutorials on youtube and have followed every step. I also searched the forums, but didn’t find anyone with the same problem. Thanks for any and all help in advance.
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4 Replies
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The clip you’re working on must be selected and highlighted first, before you try to apply the keyer. And do you have the track to be keyed, on a track above the first track, with something for the replacement background on the track below?
Is the keyer set to show “final composite”?
Finally, if working in fcp7, are you using a codec that FCP7 was designed to handle, or are you playing with imported mpeg 4 or something?
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Oddly enough, the problem seems to be that I had the green screen lit too bright. When I killed the lights on the green wall, the eye dropper worked.
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In my experience, the best way to light for a green screen key is to look at the scopes and have the green or blue at around 70 to 80 IRE units. The brightest thing should be the highlights on your talent. Light the screen first, use the zebra bars of your camera to help light it evenly all the way across and top to bottom. Then light the talent separately.
Brightness as you found out is not the answer: you’re looking for well-saturated, FLAT and EVEN color. The key takes its cue from pixels based on color, not relative brightness. Brightness is what LUMINANCE or “luma” keying works with
Glad you’re okay now.
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I run my chroma green levels at 40-50% on the scope. Less problems in post and less light to bounce back onto the subject.
Bars & Tone
SALUTE!
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