Changing the Color of an Object

[Mads Nybo jørgensen]

Hey Robert,

If the colour is isolated and uniform, then any editing/compositing software should allow you to make a key/replace colour effect on it.

Then there is also the question of if the camera moves?
Or if you have movement in front of the part that you want to change colour on?
For advanced rotoscoping there is Mocha Pro as an example, that comes in packages that works either within After Effects, FCPX or PPro. Not tried it myself, but I would expect Resolve to be able to do it too.

If the camera does not move, you can also generate a mask in PhotoShop.

If you get a bit more “adventurous” there is online A.I. tools that might be able to help you out.

Hope this helps.

Atb
Mads

[Robert Gilbert]

Thank you very much, Mads. Seems like I’ll need AE and Mocha for anything that moves much. I hope the AE color change effects are better than what I used to struggle with in Pr Pro.

[Michael Gissing]

The grade tool in Resolve can often make a good matte based using the HSL picker and then changing the color. It can also do a fast tracking general power window to make the picker only look inside a quick mask. The studio version of Resolve also has an AI driven Magic Mask that is fast an amazing at creating tracked shapes. It is especially smart at recognizing body parts and clothing.

[Robert Gilbert]

Thanks so much, Michael! That sounds great. I wonder how it compares with AE/Mocha. I’d like to try it but I don’t know Resolve at all, and I heard the learning curve is steep. I’d like to hear more about that (from you &/or everyone) especially how it compares with AE/Mocha. Thanks!

[Michael Gissing]

I don’t use AE or Mocha so I can’t compare. Everything has a steep learning curve if you are unfamiliar and the software is powerful. I’ve been using Resolve since version 8 and this would be as easy to me as anyone with experience and skill on their chosen software. So best advice is to use what you have access and experience with. We haven’t mentioned Fusion which is also another option within the Resolve suite.

I always recommend people try Resolve. After all the free version is able to do so much and the paid version is a once only cheap option.

[Robert Gilbert]

Thank you very much, MIchael!

[Nick asasda]

At Frender, when tackling the task of changing the color of an object in a 4K video, our workflow typically involves the following steps:

1. Initial Assessment: We begin by evaluating the specific requirements of the color change, considering factors like the object’s size, its movement, and the surrounding environment in the footage.
2. Choosing the Right Software: Depending on the complexity of the task, we select the most suitable software. For simpler adjustments, Adobe Premiere Pro is often adequate, thanks to its improved Lumetri Color tools. For more intricate work, we lean towards Adobe After Effects or DaVinci Resolve, which offer greater precision and control.
3. Importing and Preparing Footage: The 4K video is imported into the chosen software. We ensure the project settings match the video’s resolution and frame rate to maintain quality.
4. Object Isolation: Using masking or rotoscoping tools (like the Roto Brush in After Effects), we isolate the object whose color needs to be changed. This step is crucial for precise color adjustment without affecting the rest of the frame.
5. Color Adjustment: We then apply color correction to the isolated object. In After Effects, this might involve keying techniques or using effect layers. In Premiere Pro, the Lumetri Color panel is used for color grading, and in DaVinci Resolve, we utilize its node-based color correction system.
6. Refining the Effect: We pay close attention to ensuring that the color change looks natural within the scene. This involves adjusting parameters like luminance, saturation, and shadows/highlights to make the color change seamless.
7. Quality Checks and Rendering: After the color adjustment, we review the footage frame by frame to ensure consistency and quality, especially given the high resolution of 4K. Once satisfied, we render the video, maintaining the 4K resolution.
8. Final Review and Output: The rendered video is then reviewed for any final adjustments. After approval, it’s exported in the desired format, ready for use.

 

[Robert Gilbert]

Thank you very much, Nick!

[Eric Santiago]

Next time post an example.

It would be a lot easier for us to help.

I use Resolve, AE/Mocha Pro for all this.

But again, it depends on the nature of the subject/shot.

[Robert Gilbert]

Sure. That’s right. But I was just trying to plan on how to approach the problem in general, in the various clips I will need to work on soon. Thanks, Eric!